The Casino Guide On How To Choose The Right Online Casino

Last updated on July 13th, 2024

Online Casino Tips

Whether you are a beginner or an expert player, knowing the tips on how to choose the right online casinos is the first and foremost skill you need to learn in this industry. There are several reasons why this is so important. 

One is the fact that the number of online casinos grows exponentially each year, and as a result, there are literally thousands of options to choose from. While this may sound good at first, going through all of those options can be quite daunting for everyone, especially to a novice gambler that just started. Since many operators use very similar gaming platforms, it can truly be a challenge to find the best option that satisfies your preferences.

Yet, choosing the right online casino is one of the easiest things if you know what to look for. For that reason, our team of gambling experts created a specific list that consists of seven life-saving tips and features we tend to look at when choosing online casinos. Consequently, by using our points of reference, you can easily conduct a micro-research on-site, and decide for yourself whether the casino meets your criteria. 

Regardless of your preferences when it comes to playing, certain features and options are a must, and if any of the potential operators lack one or more, you should reconsider your decision to join. Being that our goal is for you to have an edge over the casino, and not the other way around.

With that being said, we present you with a detailed guide containing some of the most essential online casino tips about the features that you need to mind and that all of the top online casinos must employ.

1. Security & Transparency

Needless to say, the very first thing you are obliged to do when visiting an online casino is to ensure that you are playing in a regulated and safe gaming environment. To determine whether this is the case, you should always check for two things: the license and the customer support service.

a) License

Well, this one is a no-brainer, considering that the footer is the very first thing you should check when visiting an online casino website. Not only does a license mean that you are playing with a legal online casino, but it also entails that you have a backup in case the casino acts unfriendly and refuses to cooperate. While this may cover a wide array of issues, one of the most common reasons why players complain to gambling regulators is due to the casino not paying out the winnings.

However, there are a plethora of issues that can also occur, starting with privacy violations, not crediting a bonus, technical difficulties, rigged RTP (return to player), unlicensed entertainment, etc.

For that reason, simply scroll down to the footer of the casino, and you will see whether the operator is regulated or not, and if so, what gambling authority is in charge. Just by clicking on the license badge (if the operator has one), you should be redirected to the official website of the gambling regulator. Making sure that the casinos are properly licensed is of utmost importance and one of the best tips since this is the number one feature to consider when you have to choose the right online casino.

Below we present you with a list of some of the biggest gambling regulators in the iGaming industry.

• Malta Gaming Association (MGA)
• United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC)
• Curaçao Gaming Control Board
• Gibraltar Regulatory Authority (GRA)
• Swedish Gambling Authority (Spelinspektionen)

b) Customer Service

This is one of the most neglected aspects when it comes time to choose the right online casino, considering that most online players are only interested in bonuses and entertainment. While it is true that these two are quite essential to having a good time, the customer service team is one of the best indicators of the nature of the casino. Top-tier online casinos understand that the customer is king, and for that matter, they make sure that their customer service is nothing short of impeccable.

Customer service should entail an overall friendly attitude, knowledge, and timely response, but also a non-stop availability and a professional approach regardless of the spending habits of the player. The ideal case scenario is a 24/7 live support team that you can reach anytime either via chat, phone, or email. Consequently, just asking customer service questions about the details of the casino can tell you much about the quality and the intentions of the service.

Just have a look at what you should mind when it comes to customer support at online casinos.

• Availability ( Ideally: 24/7)
• Response time
• Knowledge
• Politeness

2. Entertainment & Software

a) Entertainment

After deeming the casino safe and deciding to join, the next thing you need to do is check its game library. The number one reason why 90% of players love online casinos is due to the amazing entertainment that you can find on these gaming platforms. This means that a proper online casino will spend countless hours figuring out how to improve and expand its entertainment offer. And being that games are the essence of every online casino out there, the income of both legitimate and ‘shady’ casino operators depends solely on this particular department.

So, the first thing you need to check is the number of games and the providers. Not all casinos make this information public, but the ones that do usually get a higher mark since it helps the player get a clear picture of the gaming situation, and this is one of the tips you simply must know. This is important since it can determine whether you should invest in the casino in the long run, or simply find a better operator that has a better gaming offer, both in quality and quantity.

Most importantly, you should check what type of software providers the casino employs. Top-tier game developers are a must, being that you get a guarantee that your gaming sessions will be high-quality, but most importantly, safe and transparent.

Considering that there are a plethora of online casinos, different operators offer different forms of entertainment. Some specialize in bingos and lotteries, others invest in slots and casino games, and there are even operators that decide to integrate a sportsbook thus providing an all-around gambling service.

Regardless of the form of entertainment, the quality and the legitimacy of the games are what you need to look for. If you are not sure, just conduct a small research and you can easily find all of the details of each game in particular.

b) Software

Speaking of tips and casinos, you simply cannot have online casino games without the iGaming developers, probably the most essential cog in the machine that is the online gambling industry. With that being said, just like online casinos, there is a long list of software developers to meet this demand. While the majority of online casinos employ the usual providers as their competition, playing at casinos that employ nothing but the best is what you should aim for.

Even if you meet a software developer you are not familiar with, by conducting small research you can find whether it is a legitimate software provider or a scam. This is why you should always tend to look for providers that are popular, easily traceable, and available at a lot of casinos. 

Here is a list of some of the most popular software developers:

• Microgaming
• NetEnt
• Playtech
• Play n Go
• Novomatic
• IGT
• Pragmatic Games
• Big Time Gaming
• Betsoft
• Ezugi
• Boongo
• Fazi

3. Payment Methods

Another major indicator and one of the life-saving tips that can help you determine the nature of online casinos is to look at the banking situation. Being that you cannot play with real money without the ability to deposit, this should be at the top of your list of ‘things to do before joining an online casino’.

Trust us, you do not want to make the mistake of choosing a casino that offers payment methods that don’t support your country of residence. Or even worse, offering not-so-popular payment methods with hidden fees and painstaking verification procedures.

To prevent this, simply visit the payments department and see the banking options before you indulge in creating an account. You would be surprised to find out that choosing the right casino greatly depends on choosing the right banking method, and consequently having a successful gaming session.

This is because not all payment methods have the same attributes. Some require more time to process a withdrawal, while some may come with rather rigid deposit and withdrawal limits. Moreover, this usually depends on the casino itself, except when it comes to crypto casinos where the red line can be a bit tricky to follow.

Well, with just a small scan of the payment department, and consequently the details of each payment option, you can determine whether it is possible, or even more important, viable to deposit with that particular banking option. 

Here are some of the most popular payment methods that are frequently used at online casinos:

• Credit/Debit Cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express
• Prepaid Cards: Paysafecard, Neosurf, Play+
• eWallets: Skrill, Neteller, PayPal
• Crypto: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin
• Bank Transfer

4. Bonuses & Promotions

One of the most important tips, bonuses, and promotions are two of the biggest reasons for a player to give his loyalty to one of the online casinos. That is why you will notice that the welcome bonus at any online casino is usually the most rewarding out of all promotions. First impressions are everything, and what better way for a casino to tell you about its rewarding nature than by offering you a hefty welcome bonus? Now, this does not necessarily mean that you should judge a casino simply by the bonuses and promotions they offer, however, generosity is usually a good indicator of the intentions of the operator.

And this does not refer solely to the welcome promotion, albeit it is the biggest bonus you can usually claim at any online casino. One of the duties of the casino is to provide weekly, and if possible even daily bonuses and promotions for its players. Many players prefer to have multiple smaller promotions during the week, rather than one expensive promotion for the entire month. Believe it or not, this is one of the most determining factors that can truly influence your decision to choose the right online casino.

Whether it is 10 free spins or a reload bonus, it is all about keeping the player engaged with the casino, and more importantly, making him feel like his effort and loyalty matter. Especially when it comes to losing streaks since it is the job of the casino to give the player an incentive in the form of a bonus or a cashback promotion, and hopefully motivate him/her for the long run. Some of the key points you should mind:

• Big Welcome Bonus
• Daily and Weekly Promotions
• Low Wagering Requirements
• Player-Friendly Terms & Conditions

5. Casino Department

Now, this one may look like it is pretty obvious but bear with us for a moment. Due to the insane improvement of technology, there are hundreds of different games that we can choose from. However, due to this diversity and plethora of options, many online casinos tend to forget that the backbone of all casino gaming is the classic casino games that started it all.

We can tell you with certainty that many online casinos prefer to invest in expanding their slot offer, rather than equally dedicating resources to developing their live casino department. While there is certainly nothing wrong with this approach, without casino table games, and a proper live casino section, it is not a true casino experience.

For that matter, if you want to play at online casinos, particularly the classic casino games (Poker, Blackjack, Roulette, Bacarrat), then you should first check the live casino department. Don’t be surprised if you find that there are more online slots than casino games, since this is the case for 90% of operators out there.

Consequently, there are a lot of operators that offer thousands of slots, but at the same time, there are very few that offer more than a hundred casino table games. The number of live casino games for an average operator is between 20-100, depending on the instance. Consequently, any casino that offers more than a hundred casino games is considered well-equipped in our book.

6. VIP Club

The VIP club shouldn’t be a determining factor when you have to choose the right online casino, however, having one is definitely a big plus. Not only does a VIP club mean that you get hefty rewards for your loyalty, but it is also recognition for all the time you have invested in the casino. In most instances, VIP clubs are structured in different tiers, each one more exclusive and rewarding than the previous.

The best point of reference is the pyramid, considering that almost all VIP clubs are exclusively constructed in this manner. Naturally, the more you play, the faster you climb the ranking ladder, and consequently the bigger the perks and the rewards.

If you happen to find an online casino that doesn’t have a VIP club, yet it ticks all of the boxes in your book, do not hesitate to join. Even some of the greats do not have a VIP club. Instead, what the casinos tend to do when they do not offer this option, is create tailored bonuses specifically for their biggest spenders.

However, keep in mind that if you spend plenty of funds and invest a substantial amount of time at a certain casino, and you still do not receive a personalized offer, then maybe you should think about going to a casino house that will appreciate your loyalty. Either way, VIP clubs are absolutely fun and rewarding, and we believe each casino should have one.

7. Design & Features

The last of the tips, but also very important, we will talk about the design and the features that all online casinos should have. While this category is not directly connected with the quality of the casino, everyone knows that first impressions are everything in this world, especially the iGaming industry which depends on strong and captivating visuals to attract new players.

For that reason, most online casinos tend to get your attention with the very first interaction with their platform. Whether it is a pop-up bonus or a colourful animation on the homepage. However, it is equally important for the casino to keep you entertained, and one way of doing this is by creating a user-friendly website.

Considering that no one wants to spend time navigating a complicated menu, having a clean look, with easily accessible features will not only save you time but also anxiety. Especially when it comes to limited-availability offers and promotions, where it is imperative to save as much time as possible.

In addition to time-saving, another crucial part of the design is the colours, which needless to say dictate the tone of the entire gaming platform. That is why most casinos tend to opt out for soothing colours that do not stress your eyesight.

Just as much as the design can be crucial for a player to make the decision, so can the features that the casino offers. Regardless of your player profile, each of us has personal preferences when it comes to online gambling. For some, they must play at online casinos that have no deposit limits. Others may look for an online casino that has a live chat feature for the players so that they can communicate other fellow gamblers. There are even players who only join to play in tournaments.

It is all in the details, and features such as multiple languages, different currencies, time zones, specific odds formats, etc., are what make an online casino stand out. As we said earlier, players love to have options and most intentionally seek these ‘minor’ details to make the decision and choose the right online casino.

Conclusion

To sum it all up, everything you need to know in order to make the decision to join a certain online casino is already displayed for you to see. Starting with the license badge which should be always located in the footer of the casino, then the payment methods should have a separate page featuring all details, then the entertainment is one the focal point of the casino and it also has a separate page… You get the idea.

Legitimate casinos will make sure that every important piece of information regarding the casino is easily accessible and for everyone to see. Operators that tend to hide specific details such as wagering requirements, transaction fees, or even their licensing badge, should be considered as a red flag immediately.

Just consult this guide prior to joining a new casino, and you have nothing to worry about. Online casinos are there to serve the players, and as such, it is totally up to you whether you will rely on these tips when choosing an online casino that packs all of the proper gambling features or makes a rash decision that you might end up regretting in the long run. Either way, you can always consult with this casino guide if you are in need to make a decision. Good luck.