Eight Things to Consider Before Gambling Online

Players new to online gambling make one mistake — creating playing accounts to claim advertised bonuses without conducting due diligence. For a positive experience, it is wise to take your time to learn at least the basics before diving into online gaming. While internet gambling platforms have different terms and conditions, there are some general things worth knowing, regardless of where you gamble online.

The most important things to consider are security, welcome bonuses, wagering requirements attached to the bonuses, game options, and software. Also, the banking methods, online reviews, ongoing promotions, and customer support deserve equal attention.

Some factors are common sense. For example, you cannot simply ignore the security aspect. In fact, that should be the first thing you should check out. But not everyone knows what to look for to tell a gambling site is safe.

In this post, we will be as in-depth as possible, covering everything there’s to know on this subject to help you make the right decision.

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Let’s get started.

1. Security of the gambling platform

Three elements define a safe site:

· Operating license

· Encryption technology put in place

· Auditing of their games

Operating license

Legitimate gambling operators provide licensing details on their homepage, particularly in the footer.

Regulatory bodies usually keep a close eye on the licensed casinos to ensure they constantly follow the accepted gambling rules. Sites that do not comply risk having their licenses revoked.

Encryption technology

Even if an online casino may not engage in fraudulent activities, your sensitive information could be at stake if the site uses weak data protection technology.

The hackers can easily get access to your financial data, which they may use to commit crimes. So, check the website’s connection type. There should be a padlock sign at the beginning of the URL address.

Some sites may try to copy and paste the padlock sign on their URLs. So, make sure you click on the URL to see if it has the HTTPS:// tag instead of HTTP://. This means the online gambling site is protected with a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology.

Game fairness

Outcomes of online casino games are randomly generated using Random Number Generator (RNG) software. As part of the licensing procedure, casinos are required to provide the RNG audit results.

The auditing process, which happens regularly, ensures the payout percentages quoted are indeed correct and fair. Jurisdictions have a list of preferred testing and certification agencies that they trust to audit the games.

Popular names include eCommerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance (eCOGRA), iTech Labs, and Gaming Laboratories International.

Legitimate websites display this information at the bottom of the homepage, near the licensing details.

2. Welcome bonuses and wagering requirements

The majority of the gamblers are essentially attracted to online gambling by welcome or sign up bonuses. But not many take time to understand how the bonuses work. The problem arises when they discover they cannot withdraw winnings made from those signup incentives.

Bonuses have wagering or playthrough requirements. Well, this is the number of times you’re required to wager the bonus amount before the cash-out feature can be activated.

Suppose a casino gives $20 as a bonus and has attached a 30x wagering requirement to that welcome incentive. It means you’ll have to place bets worth at least $600 before you’re allowed to withdraw any winnings.

Other gambling platforms are strict on the types of games that count towards meeting the playthrough requirements. The contributing percentages also differ.

You should check out the wagering requirement in the terms and conditions section. Read carefully before accepting any offer.

The types of bonuses offered typically fall under the following categories:

· No deposit bonuses

· Match deposit bonuses

· Free spins

Here’s how they work.

No deposit bonuses or free play bonus money

Here, you open a casino account and claim the free play money. Unfortunately, you won’t find this offer in most online casinos. And platforms with such incentives usually don’t offer more than $10. Also, they tend to have a lower cap limit on winnings.

Match deposit bonuses

With this type of bonus, a player receives a percentage of the deposit amount.

Let’s assume a gambling site has structured their bonuses, allowing their players to get a 100% match bonus up to $50 on their first deposit. So, if you deposit $50, the casino will credit your account with a bonus of $50.

Anyone who deposits more than $50 would still qualify to claim $50.

Free spins

Free spins are given to both newly registered casino users and regular faithful players.

You get a predetermined number of free spins that you can use on specific games. There is no hidden catch to free spins, as you’re allowed to keep everything you win. But be sure to read the specific conditions attached to your bonus.

Gambling sites usually offer free spins alongside match deposit bonuses. Others will grant access to this bonus type with a minimum deposit of $1.

3. Ongoing promotions

Online gambling sites also reward regular players. Most platforms have a loyalty scheme. They make you part of their program as soon as you deposit and start playing.

Such programs are designed with levels. Regular gamblers will accumulate more points and move up the levels, earning VIP status. You enjoy more benefits when you are ranked high in the system.

As a regular player gambling online, you can expect ongoing bonuses and perks, such as:

· Cash bonuses

· Cashback bonuses

· Reload bonuses

· Birthday bonuses

· Personalized gifts

· Access to special events and private tournaments

· Refer a friend bonuses

4. Game options

Some casinos are dedicated to offering one type of game like bingo. Other sites offer a wide range of games, such as slots, roulette, blackjack, baccarat, keno, and live dealer games.

If you’re the player that enjoys switching from one type of game to another, consider joining a site with your preferred options. It is always exciting to try a new game.

And before committing your money, take advantage of the demo versions to understand how the game works.

5. Casino software providers

The majority of online gambling sites use software from third-party providers. Some rely on a single software provider, while others receive games from multiple suppliers.

Reputable and trusted sites partner with leading software providers like Microgaming, Real Time Gaming (RTG), Playtech, Net Entertainment, Evolution Gaming, and International Gaming Technology (IGT).

These companies provide high-quality games with great layout, visuals, soundtracks, and bonus systems. Games are accessible via different formats: instant play software, download software, mobile software, and live casino software.

6. Banking options

The best online gambling site should have deposit and payment methods that allow you to process funds quickly and securely. Check out if the casino accepts your preferred banking option.

Generally, many operators offer the following payment methods:

· Credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, etc.)

· Debit cards ( Visa Debit, Maestro, MasterCard Debit, etc.)

· Prepaid cards ( Paysafe Card)

· E-wallets ( PayPal, Neteller, ecoPayz, EcoCard, Citadel, etc.)

· Bank transfers (Wife transfer, eCheck, iDeal, InstaDebit, etc.)

Deposits are usually not a problem, as your money reflects in your account almost instantly. When it comes to withdrawals, the processing time varies depending on the method you use.

For instance, with E-wallets, expect to receive your money within 24 hours. If you opt for bank transfers, the waiting period can be 3-7 days.

7. Online casino reviews

There are third-party sites that provide guides and reviews geared towards helping improve the experience of players like you. Vetting sites may save you time and tell you what to expect even before signing up.

If you have a casino in mind, search for reviews online and see what others say.

In case you’re looking to find recommendations for casinos, search phrases like best online gambling sites or gambling sites. You’ll find informational websites that direct you to good gaming platforms.

Some of the reviews you’ll come across may appear promotional, but legit portals wouldn’t recommend sites that they don’t trust. So, this shouldn’t be a big deal if the content is even-handed.

Greedy opportunists exist in the industry, though. You can easily tell someone doesn’t have your best interest at heart by going through the content on their site. They are pushy and don’t provide enough information for you to make informed decisions.

8. Customer support

Customer support is an area most new players overlook when gambling online. You may face issues at some point, not necessarily technical ones. Therefore, you’ll want to get in touch with a customer service representative.

So, what makes good customer support? Well, the crew should be reachable at any time of the day or night, especially if the casino operates in multiple jurisdictions where players have different timelines.

Best online gambling sites provide multiple contact options. You can contact them via live chat, email, phone number, social media, etc.

The sites also support multiple languages.

Wrapping Up

Gambling online can be a great pastime that also presents you with an opportunity to win money. Keep in mind though no one can guarantee that you’ll have a perfect experience when gambling online. However, you can increase your chances by following the tips and recommendations in this post.