Choosing the Best Online Casino
To many new players, the world of online casinos can feel like a confusing place. All the casinos have flashing banners, all have big welcome bonuses and all seem to have similar games. What you will find is that there are major differences between the casinos. These differences concern important factors like trust, deposit methods, software used and whether they accept US players or not. This article takes you through the differences – showing you how to choose an online casino that meets your personal needs.
First up, some notes on your location – since US players can only choose from US-friendly offshore casinos at this time. After that I will cover your devices, and how to choose a casino which works on your phone as well as computers. Software and games selection comes next, along with some insights into how the software creators work with individual casinos. Finally, I cover the money. There are several aspects here including bonuses, trust and deposit options.
How to Choose an Online Casino – Your Location
While nobody has ever been arrested for simply gambling online in the US, there are laws which make the banks nervous about transacting with gambling websites. This means that all the big casinos regulated around the world were forced to pull out of the US – including many of the back-end software creators.
This means that US residents only have a small proportion of online casinos to choose from. Fortunately this does include some excellent and reputable casinos that use cutting edge software from houses like Real-Time Gaming and BetSoft.
When choosing a casino, you should make sure they are US-friendly to avoid disappointment later.
How to Choose an Online Casino – Your Computing Devices
It is now possible to enjoy real money casino games across a wide range of devices – from PCs through to the latest tablets and smartphones. While you’ll find options for each, not all casinos are compatible with every device. I like to see both computer downloads (for Mac and Windows operating systems) plus apps for Android and iPhones. This not only covers all the possible devices nicely, it shows that the casino brand is serious about investing the resources needed to become multi-device compatible.
Some casinos have in-browser games using Flash or HTML5 technology. These have advanced a long way in recent years, and now look and play fantastically. You should bear in mind that Flash games are not compatible with Apple devices (at least without special plug-ins and technical tricks). The other thing you should look out for is whether the games have been adapted for smaller screens. Having to constantly scroll from side-to-side is very annoying!
How to Choose an Online Casino – Software and Games
Casino software is controlled by some very big companies who provide the games and the ‘engines’ on which they run. Names like MicroGaming, PlayTech and Real-Time Gaming make the games and license these to individual casino operators who then offer them to players.
As you gain experience with the different software systems, you will almost certainly end up with one or more favorites. My advice when choosing an online casino is to make a note of which software they are using. Next time you can choose a different supplier and decide which one you like the best.
The games that you prefer will also make a difference to your choice of software provider. Some are very strong in slots (for example BetSoft specialize in mobile slots games), while others have very cool table games. The biggest software providers also offer the ability to link together jackpots across all the casinos using their software – which can lead to some giant prizes.
How to Choose an Online Casino – Let’s Talk About Money
When you find the software that’s compatible with your device and location, the next thing to look at is the money. This should be broken down into at least three sections: bonuses, reputation and deposit options.
Bonuses:
All casinos give you an initial bonus. You will usually see this on a flashing banner. The standard is a 100% match on your first deposit, though casinos will often cover your first four or five deposits with a bonus – to account for smaller stakes players. You need to compare a couple of different things before jumping into the first bonus that looks good. First, compare the clearance rates. Some bonuses will clear fast, while others take so much play-through that you might never see the cash. Second, look for ongoing player rewards including at comps, reload bonuses, regular promotions and a points-collection scheme.
Trust and Reputation:
I like to see casinos with at least five years’ track record and no major issues highlighted by searching their name. When doing your research, focus on customer service or payout issues here. Good casinos value their reputation and go the extra mile to ensure that their customer service is top-rated. These are the ones you should be choosing.
Deposit Methods:
This is for US players, since worldwide players have a long list of easy ways to deposit. Look for casinos who accept credit cards where possible and keep an eye out for terms and conditions. You might find that fees are refunded if you deposit over a certain amount.