Complete Beginners Guide to Online Casinos
Taking the jump and signing up with your very first online casino is a thrilling experience, but choosing which site to join can be difficult. In this beginner’s guide, we'll help you understand tricky bonus terms, mistakes to avoid doing as a newbie, as well as which games can be more lucrative for your gaming style in the long run.
How Online Casinos Work
Online casinos function similarly to traditional casinos, but bets are placed through an online platform. These sites provide multiple games, including traditional favourites like Blackjack and Baccarat and newer games like slots.
You can access an online casino via different devices, including smartphones, tablets, and laptops. You don't have to leave your house as you can play from anywhere, provided you have a stable internet connection.
Land-Based Casinos VS Online Casinos
What are the distinctions between online casinos and land-based casinos? While internet casinos are getting more popular, land-based casinos will still be around for a while.
Brick-and-mortar casinos
Land-based casinos are classic brick-and-mortar establishments where you can test out many different games, watch incredible shows, interact with others, and unwind. Along with their glamour, they are well-known for providing an unforgettable experience overall.
Online casinos
Online casinos are portals that allow you to play multiple modern games. These websites also provide numerous fascinating perks to make things more interesting, like extra bonus rounds, promotional offers, and gamification features. All you have to do is sign up for an account and get started.
How to Choose The Perfect Online Casino
If this is your first time choosing an online casino, you should be aware of which features to look out for before taking the plunge.
Here's what our experts look out for before deciding to feature an online casino:
Bonuses & Promotions
We recommend checking to see if the casino has frequent promotions for existing players. This can be anything from a signup offer to weekly free spins, cashback bonuses, or even loyalty programs.
Games
Check to determine if the casino offers the games you want, such as slots, table games, or even live dealer titles. While many casinos have a diverse and extensive library, not all casinos can accommodate all games.
Licensing & Security
For safety reasons, only play at an online casino if an accredited gambling organization has regulated it, like the Malta Gambling Authorization or the UK Gambling Commission.
Banking Methods
Ensure that the casino you sign up for has a variety of safe deposit and withdrawal methods. Other things to consider are transaction costs and processing times.
Customer Support
The best casinos provide 24-hour customer support across numerous channels, including live chat, phone, and email. We especially appreciate casinos that have reliable FAQ sections with direct solutions for common questions.
Find The Perfect Casino
Our experts are here to assist you in finding the best online casino that matches your gaming preferences and budget. We've put together a helpful guide that shows how we test online casinos so you can discover the best strategy for analyzing online casinos.
Different Types of Online Casino Bonuses
Now, let’s look at the different bonuses offered by online casinos and why you should use them when expanding your bankroll:
- Welcome Bonus - Welcome bonuses are also referred to as signup bonuses or new player bonuses. For example, a welcome bonus package can often include 100% up to USD500 and 200 free spins.
- Match Bonus - Match bonuses are offers in which the casino will match, often double, your deposit amount by a certain percentage. For example, if you claim a 100% up to USD100 match offer and deposit USD10, you will receive USD10 in bonus credit.
- No Deposit Free Spins - Free spin bonuses are mainly given to new players as an incentive to sign up and register a new account. This kind of bonus provides you with free spins that you can use to win real money.
- No Deposit Bonus - No deposit bonuses let you test out new games without putting any of your own money at risk. Exclusive no deposit bonuses typically reward you with USD10 to USD50 in bonus credit to enjoy on popular slots.
- Reload Bonus - Reload bonuses are similar to a match deposit bonus but are only available to players after claiming the signup offer. Depending on the casino, this promotion can be utilized daily or weekly.
- No Wager Bonus - No wager bonuses are a type of promotion provided by online casinos that do not need you to meet playthrough requirements before withdrawing any winnings. Since you can cash out your bonus winnings instantly with no questions asked, these bonuses are highly sought-after. However, as they present a bigger risk for the casino, they’re also uncommon. Explore our recommended no wagering casinos to benefit from these incredible offers.
- Cashback Bonus - Playing at an online casino provides a great way to win money. Still, losing is unavoidable. This is why, when claiming a cashback bonus, your losses might be offset. This bonus allows you to get a certain percentage of your previous week's losses, generally ranging from 10% to 30%.
- Loyalty/VIP Bonus - VIP/Loyalty bonuses are a means for casinos to reward loyal registered players through a rewards program. These incentives are typically given to players after they hit particular milestones while playing their favourite games.
Understanding the Bonus T&Cs
Bonus T&Cs significantly impact what you can and cannot do with your casino bonus and your chances of winning.
We'll go over the most common terms and conditions below:
Expiry Dates
Casino bonuses will expire after a specific time period, so you must ensure that you have enough time to complete the remaining T&Cs before they expire.
Win Caps
The win cap of a bonus indicates how much you can eventually cash out as real money withdrawals. Most no deposit bonuses have a cap of roughly USD100, whereas deposit bonuses are unlikely to have win limits.
Wagering Requirements
Wagering requirements (WR) are expressed as a multiplier, for example, 20x. This multiplier denotes the number of times you must wager your bonus amount.
For example, if you receive a USD10 bonus with a WR of 30x, you must bet a total sum of USD300 (USD10 x 30) before withdrawing your winnings.
Understand Wagering Requirements
You need to understand the wagering requirements to get the most out of your online casino experience. We're not kidding when we say they're essential to ensuring you score some excellent wins. To get clued up, check out our article on wagering requirements.
Game Contribution
Game contribution regulates how much your bet goes toward wagering requirements, depending on your game.
Slots will usually contribute 100% of the wagering requirements. On the other hand, Blackjack generally has a 10% game contribution.
So, in the case above, if you bet USD100 on Blackjack, only USD10 will count toward the wagering requirements.
Online casinos will reduce the contribution of high-odds games to reduce risk. To avoid any mishaps, be sure to read more about game weighting before claiming any casino bonus.
Eligible Games
When it comes to eligible games, free spins are usually only available on one or a selection of slots chosen by the casino. In contrast, free credits are usually redeemable on a wide range of games, including live dealer and table games.
How to Register and Get Started
Now, we'll go over how to register at an online casino while receiving a signup offer at the same time:
- Choose a Licensed Online Casino - The first step is finding a reliable and reputable online casino. Explore one of our many featured low-deposit online casinos to get the latest and most lucrative deals.
- Head over to the Signup Page - When you've chosen a bonus you want to claim, click the 'Claim Bonus' button - this link will bring you to the casino. To create a brand new account at the casino of your choice, click the registration button.
- Fill in the Registration Form - Fill out the signup form with your date of birth, name, and email address. If you're using a bonus code, you should be able to enter it into the appropriate field during this step.
- Create Your Account Details - Enter a username and password and keep this information safe. Every time you access your casino account, you will be required to log in.
- Always Read and Accept the T&Cs - Read over the terms and conditions. It would be best if you considered whether or not they are reasonable before deciding whether or not to accept them.
- Verify Your Account - After completing the registration form successfully, you can verify your account by visiting your email and clicking on the link supplied to you by your new casino.
Discover the Ease of No Registration
If you're in the mood for convenience and want to skip the entire registration process, there are online casinos that offer a hassle-free experience.
Play The Best Online Casino Games
When selecting an online casino, consider what games are available, how many versions are available, and whether or not the collection includes titles you are interested in.
Below, we’ll take a look at some of the most sought-after gaming categories:
Slots
Slots have the most possible variety in terms of both looks and gameplay. From conventional three-reel slots to five-reel slot machines and even jackpot slots, which offer massive jackpots that only grow as you play.
Table Games
Traditional table games, including Baccarat, Poker, and other popular games like Blackjack and Roulette, are available in both their original versions as well as different variations, such as European Roulette or Multi-Hand Blackjack.
Live Dealer Games
Live dealer games are classic table games streamed straight from a cutting-edge studio. When you play, you get seated at a table with a real dealer. You will also be able to engage with the dealer and other players at the table.
Other Games
Bingo, keno, and scratchies are speciality games that do not fit into the other categories. These games, like slots, are frequently based on luck.
Online Casino Banking
Before registering at a casino, it is essential to determine which banking methods are accepted.
Our featured online casinos generally provide players with a diverse range of options, which frequently include:
- Credit and debit Cards (VISA, Mastercard)
- eWallets (PayPal, Skrill, Neteller)
- Prepaid cards (PaySafeCard)
- Crypto deposits (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin)
- Instant bank transfers
Know Your Customer (KYC) Checks
All the best online casinos use a thorough KYC security check to safeguard the player and the casino against fraud.
Here's how they usually work:
- Account Registration - You will be required to submit some basic information, such as your date of birth, name, and contact information. If these are incorrect, you will fail the KYC process.
- Documentation - After you request your first withdrawal, you will be prompted to confirm the information you entered with documents like a copy of a utility bill or bank statement.
- Validation - The casino will next go through the process of confirming your documents. You could be asked to provide further documentation if the documents are inadequate.
- KYC Check Complete - Once your documents have been confirmed, your withdrawal will be accepted, and future withdrawals will be more straightforward.
Always Choose a Reputable Online Casino
We want you to have peace of mind, so choosing a licensed and trusted online casino is essential. You can rest assured that each of our featured casinos has undergone thorough scrutiny by industry experts.
Common Mistakes to Avoid At Online Casinos
Players make a few common mistakes when they first begin playing at online casinos; here are a few of the ones we recommend you avoid:
Betting Beyond Your Means
Casino games are so entertaining that it's easy to lose track of how much time you have invested and money you've spent. To avoid overspending, we recommend setting a firm budget and sticking to it.
Chasing Losses
Losing more than you budgeted for is an unpleasant experience. Don't aggravate the situation by making yourself feel worse. The need to pursue losses affects everyone, but succumbing to it can have profound implications.
Not Reading the Bonus T&Cs
Read the terms and conditions of any bonus that you claim. This helps avoid disappointment and lets you understand how your bonus works to avoid invalidating it.
Letting Your Emotions Take Over
Online gambling is a source of entertainment. Still, it would be best if you always played with a clear head. Avoid gambling when you are fatigued, intoxicated, or unhappy.
Not Knowing the Rules
You need to know the rules of the game you're about to play to stand a chance at winning. Before spending real money, we encourage you to practice in demo mode or with a no deposit bonus beforehand.
Key Takeaways
- Don't worsen the frustration of losing by chasing your losses.
- Always read the terms and conditions of any bonus you claim.
- Practice in demo mode or with no deposit bonuses before risking your money.
- Set a strict budget to prevent overspending.
- Gamble with a clear head and avoid playing when fatigued, intoxicated, or upset.
- Explore all the casino games, find your favourites, and aim to master them for a fun experience.