How to Play Online Casinos: Tips and Tricks

Licensing and security

Before you dive deep into a platform, make sure it accepts players from your country. Doing extensive research will lead to nothing if you can’t sign up and play the games. The easiest way to get the necessary information is to contact customer support, as they know all the details. 

Once you determine the casino welcomes players from your country, you can focus on other vital aspects.

The first thing to do is see whether the operator holds a legit licence. Renowned online casinos obtain approval from reputable regulators that oversee gambling in the country. Apart from guaranteeing a fair and safe gambling experience, another benefit is that you can turn to the regulator if the casino abuses its power, withholds your winnings, or treats you badly. In extreme cases, the complaints or problems can lead to an operator losing a licence.

On the other hand, if you choose an unlicensed casino, you’ll be left alone to deal with the problems. Therefore, you can understand why it’s vital to play in a licensed online casino with a seal of approval from renowned regulatory agencies. 

What’s more, an operator should employ advanced security measures to protect your data and transactions. Those that use SSL encryption protocols guarantee that your sensitive information and money will be perfectly safe.  

Bonus offering

Over time, welcome bonuses and ongoing promotions have become a core marketing strategy that helps attract new players and retain the existing ones. Types of bonuses range from no deposit offers and match bonuses to free spins, reload, and cashback promotions. 

Regardless of your preferences, you should pick an online casino that boasts a wide range of promotional incentives. That way, you can use bonus funds to play your favourite games, top up your account, or try out some new titles.

However, make sure you read the fine print before you jump headfirst and claim the bonus. The text that accompanies promotions is called terms and conditions. It contains all the necessary information regarding the offer — expiration date, minimum deposit, maximum win, wagering requirements, game weighting, etc.

Failing to meet some of the bonus terms usually leads to the loss of all winnings. So, if you don’t want to lose any money, make sure you understand how the bonus works.

Game collection 

An online casino should provide its players with an all-encompassing game offering comprising slots, table games, live dealer section, etc. This is especially important if you’re new to the online gambling world and don’t know what game type you enjoy playing. 

The best way to find out is to play in casinos that offer games in demo mode. That way, you can try out unlimited titles without paying a pence. Naturally, you won’t win any real money, but you’ll learn the ropes and see which casino game suits you best.

You should also pay attention to the software providers that create the available casino games. Names like NetEnt, Evolution, Microgaming, Play’n GO, Pragmatic Play, Quickspin, Red Tiger, Thunderkick are notable for their high-quality products that offer a fair yet engaging gambling experience. 

Payment options

Given that not all players have the same preferences regarding payments, an online casino needs to provide various deposit and withdrawal solutions. The banking section should host traditional payment providers like debit cards and bank transfers but also modern-day options that include e-wallets, prepaid cards, and even cryptocurrencies.

If you come across an online casino that accepts payments from your favourite provider, learn more about the time, deposit, and payout limits, as well as fees. Since you don’t want to wait for your winnings for a long time, opt for banking systems that instantly execute transactions.

Mobile casino and apps

Millions of people use their smartphones and tablets to access online gambling sites, which is why the entire industry switched its focus from desktop to mobile gameplay. Even though not all casinos offer dedicated apps for iOS and Android devices, but they often boast mobile-responsive platforms that allow players to access the site anywhere, anytime.

What’s more, many games today are created in HTML5, meaning they can fit any screen and offer seamless gameplay. Therefore, if you’re constantly on the move, pick an online casino with a mobile-friendly design.

That way, you only need a strong Internet connection, and you’ll be good to go.

Customer support

Given that the casino terms and conditions vary from one platform to another, it’s important to have the ability to ask someone for help or clarification. That’s when efficient customer support comes into play. 

Online casinos offer various communication channels you can use to contact support representatives. Typically, your options are live chat, email, and phone. The faster and more responsive the support, the better — you don’t want to waste time waiting for an agent to help you out. 

That’s why it’s essential to pick an online casino with an around-the-clock support team that can help you any time of day or night. Alternatively, a casino should feature a comprehensive FAQ section with detailed responses to the most common questions. That way, you can get answers without waiting for a representative to come around.

8 tips and tricks for online casino players

Below are listed some of the most important advice and ideas for newbie gamblers.

Take advantage of the bonuses and promotions

We already mentioned how important bonuses and promotions are to online casinos and their players. As a new member, you’ll have access to a neat welcome bonus to help you get started. Typically, operators offer a deposit match bonus or a sign-up package with some free spins.

On the other hand, the no deposit bonus isn’t as common as you’d think, despite being the most popular promotion. As the name suggests, the free money offer allows you to play games without making a deposit. Nevertheless, it still comes with certain T&Cs you need to respect — the same goes for any bonus type.

Although they can kickstart the entire adventure and allow you to try out various games, you still need to meet the terms to withdraw the winnings. Therefore, bonuses with low wagering requirements are the way to go. 

Understand how the games work

Many people are skeptical when it comes to playing in online casinos and believe all games are rigged. While that may be true for unreliable and shady operators, licensed ones hold higher standards. 

By choosing a reputable online casino, you’ll find that all games go through testing processes that determine whether their RNG (random number generator) algorithm has been tampered with. This is the base of any online casino game — slots, video poker, blackjack, roulette, poker, baccarat, craps, etc. On the other hand, live dealer games are streamed in real-time, meaning you can see exactly what the dealer does and how the game unwinds. 

Since all games are based on random outcomes, you shouldn’t try to alter your strategy based on what’s happened in the previous round. No online casino game will ever guarantee a win, which is why you should learn the rules and understand the process of playing games in the online gambling environment.

Set your limits

Before you click on the Play button, you should set your time and money limits. Online casino games offer immersive and fun gameplay, making it easy to get carried away. To avoid spending more than you’ve initially planned, limit how much you want to spend on a game or round. 

All reliable online casinos that comply with responsible gambling regulations offer players an option to set their daily, weekly, and monthly deposit limits. If you’re just starting to explore the iGaming world, you should take advantage of this option and draw the line before you start playing.

Understand the difference between game volatility and house edge

Volatility and house edge are metrics used to measure the potential output of an online casino game. Players focusing on short-term wins should be concerned about volatility, while those in for a long haul should think about the house edge.

But, let’s discuss the difference between the two. The definitions below will help you understand how each works:

• Volatility — This term relates to the amount of risk inherent to a specific casino game. It describes how much and how often you should expect a win. For instance, low volatility means you can expect low-risk gameplay with smaller payouts, while high volatility refers to games with many risks that can generate massive wins.
• House edge — The house edge refers to the amount of money you can expect to lose while playing a game. Titles with a low house edge allow you to maintain most of your winnings over a longer period. 

Therefore, if you plan to play games for a long time, pick those with a low house edge and low volatility. However, if you want to try and score a big win, high-volatility games are your best bet. But, be careful and don’t get carried away. Remember, the casino doesn’t owe you a win. 

Create a strategy

While strategies won’t help you win in online slots, they are certainly useful when some table games are concerned. For instance, playing blackjack or poker allows you to boost your winning odds by implementing a special strategy. 

You can start by learning the basics, but you’ll develop a certain style and learn what suits you best as you continue playing. Based on your experience and preferences, you’ll create a unique strategy that will help you collect more wins. 

Never chase losses

As we mentioned, online casinos don’t owe you wins. So, if you’re on a losing streak, don’t think for a second that the casino will set you up with a win. Given that all games contain RNG algorithms, the human factor has no influence here. 

Pro tip — If you fail to win, take a break, relax, reassess your strategies and goals, and come back with a clear head. 

Know when to say when

Regardless of whether you’re on a winning or losing streak, it’s critical to know when to stop. Although regular wins can entice you into playing more, it’s also a recipe for disaster when you don’t know your limits. 

A useful piece of advice is to stop while you’re ahead. Despite how much money you’ve accumulated, you risk losing it all if you continue playing longer than you should.

Remember to have fun

If you have realistic expectations and play for fun, the entire gambling experience will be more enjoyable. While many people fantasise about hitting the jackpot or becoming rich by playing online casino games, chances of it happening to you are minimal.

So, play casino games because you enjoy them, not because you want to earn money — it never ends well for people that come in with such expectations.