Whether gambling online is really a serious pastime for you or perhaps a casual hobby, choosing between your hundreds of online casinos available online today could be rather intimidating. In the end, every online gamer has their own unique personality, likes, dislikes and preferred games. In the same way every player is different, so are online casinos. Below are the fundamentals to consider when doing your research for an online casino which will meet your gambling needs and then some.
It’s ABOUT the Games
With regards to online casinos, I come to play and I play to win. But first and foremost, I come to play. Which means that you’re not likely to stick around playing a casino game you don’t enjoy. Even if you play a game common to all casinos like poker, if the interface is weak you are all but guaranteed to produce a fast “exit.”
Because online casinos only feature games where wagers are participating, you might think your choices are limited, nevertheless, you couldn’t be farther from the truth. Many companies pride themselves on thinking beyond your box and offering new and innovative games that improve the bar with regard to graphics, sound and playability. It is a good idea to get a concept of which online casinos carry games that you will be interested in 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 previously, has stellar games, but will cater to the younger crowd of online casino players. They focus more on graphics and games that interest “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 could 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 particular online casino. Still, don’t assume all casino operates exactly the same way. RTG and Playtech incorporate their very own software methods 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. Can you blame them? They want to make money. It is in their best interest to market their online casino because the biggest and the best. Therefore, your very best bet on researching an online casino is to search for customer reviews on gambling review websites.
Online gamers are passionate about the casinos they love and venomous towards those they hate. Before spending a dime, it behooves you to read some reviews and benefit from the experience of others. You can find so many sites on the market offering top-notch, alternative party reviews of online casinos. Despite the fact that you will be gambling at the casino, it is best never to gamble on a casino.
Beware of Sign Up Bonuses
Sign up bonuses so far as I’m concerned are the candy that a shady stranger uses to lure a kid into a van. They state nothing for the web casino’s game-play or customer support. I will use another simile. They are like an ad incentive from a car dealership released there to draw suckers in to 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 on you and end up paying way more than you wanted for an automobile.
Online casinos are no different. Often the sign up bonus will offer you some exorbitant level of free money. That’s what it says at first glance. But what they don’t let you know is that if you want that money to pay off, you will have to pay a far more exorbitant amount in wagers and soon you meet your minimum that enables you to cash out…assuming you have any winnings that is.
Are yoursite.com or a PC?
While each online casino is PC friendly, the same can’t be said for Macintosh computers. However, online casino bosses aren’t blind and many have developed platforms which are appropriate for both PC and the rising amount of Mac users. So if you are on a Mac, your choice is fairly limited. If you are on a PC, the web casino world is your oyster.
ECOGRA Certified Casinos
There are a number of third-party online casino watchdogs out there, every one of them monitoring the casinos to see that they are playing fair. The most trusted of them all is eCogra (short for eCommerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance). There is absolutely no way to ensure that any online casino is completely fair 100% of that time period. However, seeing that a casino is certified by eCogra is the foremost way to know that play is as fair as it can be.
There are other names out there, but none as universally trusted as eCogra. While others may certainly do their job together with if not much better than eCogra, their reputation is certainly strongest. In theory, anyone could take up a watchdog company and develop a seal. By choosing an eCogra certified casino, you understand that they stake their reputation on the fact 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 is highly regulated. Therefore, whether online gambling is legal in your town or not, you should know the law before you start spending. An online casino permitting you access does not indicate that their services are legal what your location is. It is difficult for governments to regulate the web 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 most casinos to accept deposits. So before making a deposit, consider online gambling laws specific to your geographical area for a hassle-free gaming experience.