Available Promotions & Bonuses
The biggest perks for players are the promotions on offer, especially the welcome bonus. Using bonuses might multiply the funds you are playing with or offer you dozens of free game rounds. The promotions and bonuses vary greatly, so do not jump and grab the first one you see without looking for better deals.
Even more important than comparing the bonuses is to check the terms and conditions. To even determine whether obtaining a specific bonus is worthwhile, you should always check the attached wagering requirement to see how easy it is to convert the bonus funds to withdrawable money. Our guide to online casino bonuses gives you an overview on promotions & their terms.
You should also keep an eye out for any additional requirements. Sometimes the free spins or bonus money is only available to be used on specific games, and often playing on table games does not fulfil the wagering requirement as much as playing slots does, if at all.
Do not focus solely on the welcome bonus, as casinos often offer ongoing promotions during certain days or weekends, no deposit bonuses and sometimes exclusive bonuses reserved for players of a certain VIP level.
Security & Credibility
To ensure a smooth and trouble-free gaming experience, the casino of your choice should be a responsible business and value their customers. Most casinos use SSL or the new TLS data encryption technology to provide secure transactions and to protect their customers’ data. The data security information should be clearly visible on the casino’s website.
Another safety measure to look out for is the casino’s licence. Some casinos may even hold several licences to be available in multiple countries across the world. Some of the trustworthy licencing bodies are the UK Gambling Commission and the jurisdictions of Malta, Gibraltar, Isle of Man, Alderney and Curacao. If you can find a licence on the casino’s website from any of these or some other trustworthy authority, you can rest assured that the casino has undergone a strict verification process and that the games are fair to players.
Deposit & Withdrawal Options
It is essential to check what deposit and withdrawal options are available before making your first deposit, preferably before you even fill out the registration form. Practically all casinos offer credit and debit cards, but transactions using these might include some fees. Bank transfer is also often available but will almost always take several working days to process.
Therefore, it is always a huge plus to the casino to offer multiple alternative payment options. These may include e-wallets such as Neteller or Skrill, pre-paid options such as Paysafecard and even cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin for the savvy players.
Software Provider
Equally as important as all the other parts mentioned so far are the games on the casino. You would be wise to choose a casino that partners with at least two well-known software providers, just to ensure that new games are added on a regular basis and that you get to enjoy high-quality games. Some names to look out for are Microgaming, NetEnt, Evolution Gaming, Booongo and Playtech, but there are many other great software providers in addition to these.
You should always be able to find slots, blackjack, roulette, baccarat and video poker on a good online casino. Any other types of games, such as craps, scratch cards or sports betting, are always an added perk. This ensures that there is diversity and a great selection at the casino, and that you will not find yourself with no more games to try.
Customer Support
As playing on an online casino can often take place during late evenings and weekends, you should try and look for a casino that excels in customer service. A lot of casinos have support available 24/7 via a live chat and email, and some offer support on the phone as well. The contact info should be readily available so you can find it quickly if you find yourself in a pinch.
A great way to test out customer support beforehand is to come up with a question and send it in the live chat. If you receive a well-written and a friendly response within minutes, it will put your mind at ease about their availability.
Supported Devices
Last but not least you should check if the casino has a mobile-optimised version of their website if you plan to do any gambling on the go. You can easily do this by just typing in the URL address of the casino in the web browser on your smartphone or tablet. You should take a minute to check that the site runs smoothly, and the navigation tools are easy to use on your mobile device. Some casinos might have a dedicated app to download from the app store.
