So, you’re interested in joining the online casino world but you’re not sure where to start. Lucky for you, this fully comprehensive online casino guide has all the answers you’ve been looking for!
Throughout this online casino review, we’ll be letting you in on all there is to know about the gambling world. We’ll start by giving you a proper overview, and we’ll then move on to how you can start enjoying your experience. Additionally, we’ll be discussing what every platform should have. This includes thrilling games, big bonuses, reputable payment methods and everything else in between.
Ready to learn more? Let’s get this show on the road then!
An Overview of the Online Casino World
We can all agree that the online casino sphere has well and truly made its mark on the world. Revenues are up, more jobs are available and best of all, more players are expressing an interest in playing in this ever-growing virtual environment.
Of course, we’re not saying that prestigious land-based venues have lost their spark. In fact, people still enjoy planning casino trips and simply making a night out of a visit to a brick-and-mortar venue. That said, we are now living in a new gambling era that is packed with thrills, big wins and so much more.
Perhaps the biggest selling point in all of this is that players can dive right into the action from the comfort of their homes. All you need is a desktop or mobile device and you’re good to go.
Of course, no online casino experience is complete without its fair share of casino classic games. Online slot machines, blackjack, roulette, poker, baccarat…you name it. Nowadays, gaming giants like NetEnt are creating games that exceed all expectations. From the design concepts, animations, essential elements to the gaming experience in itself, the bar is extremely high.
What’s more is that you get the chance to play for free or for real money in an online gambling scenario. In this way, beginners can test the waters without the pressure of spending funds they can lose, whilst seasoned players can shop around for new games that may interest them.
Additionally, online casinos come with added perks. In this case, we’re talking about compelling bonuses and promotions. As you will see in later sections of this guide, players are in for a treat with what’s on offer. This includes welcome bonuses, no deposit bonuses, reload bonuses, refer to friend bonuses and also loyalty points.
And on that note, it’s time to do a deep dive on what you should expect from any online casino experience you sign up for.
How to Find Reputable Online Casino Platforms
As industry experts, we take our time with finding the idea casino platforms that are suitable for all players. We conduct reviews and we also evaluate all the pros and cons that come with every online casino we come across.
Throughout our experience in the field, we’ve pretty much seen it all. We’ve encountered great casinos that really stand out, but we’ve also come across online casinos that simply didn’t do it for us.
Bearing all this in mind, we’ve compiled a list of key points that are the must haves of every online casino platform:
- Licensing – Malta Gaming Authority, Kahnawake Gambling Commission, Curacao Egaming, or the UK Gambling Commission.
- Game Variety – Slots, Blackjack, Poker, Roulette, Live Casino
- An Array of Free Demos and Real Money Games
- Bonuses and Promotions
- High Return to Player Percentages (RTP %)
- Bonuses and Promotions
- Fair Wagering Requirements
- Decent Terms and Conditions on Bonuses
- Compelling Features
- Array of Banking Methods
- Fast Payouts
- Adequate Withdrawal Times
- 100% Mobile-Friendly
- Superb 24/7 Customer Support
How to Create an Online Casino Account
The aforementioned list should help you track down reputable providers that won’t disappoint. Given that the industry is growing and the bar is sky high, that shouldn’t be too difficult. It all boils down to finding the right providers that work for you.
As soon as you’re happy with your choice, you can then hit that sign up button! This shouldn’t be a difficult step as casino operators try to make the process as easy as possible for new players. That said, we’re still going to show you the ropes so you can start of your online casino journey in no time.
Lucky for you, the whole registration process takes just a couple of minutes. You’ll be asked to enter your name, address and other personal details in the pop up menu. Next, you’ll be asked to place your deposit so your account is funded and eventually verified. Once you issue your deposit, you’ll also be eligible for the welcome bonus. Finally, there’s just one thing left to do – play and win big!
- Check out the whole process broken down in 5 simple steps:
- Choose your online casino platform of choice
- Launch the platform
- Enter your details to complete the registration process
- Place a first deposit to claim your welcome bonus
- Start claiming your winnings!
Game Selection
Onto the fun part. It’s now time to talk about the range of casino classics that you can expect to find at any online casino. Remember, you have the choice to play for free or for real money. Both options serve their purpose, but keep in mind that you can only win freebies and jackpots when you play for real money.
And on that note, here’s our definitive list of games!
Online Slots
Who wants to reel in some wins with the best slots of all time? You can never go wrong with these babies. They’re fun, thrilling and best of all, they yield some pretty lucrative prizes!
We simply love what the online casino world has done with online slots. Given that slot machines defined the early age of gambling, expectations were high. But nonetheless, slots have proven that they are well and truly here to stay thanks to the likes of NetEnt, Microgaming, Playson and Play ‘n Go. The theming, the animations, sound effects, features, the volatility and the gaming experience in itself are executed to perfection.
Check out some of our favourite slots below!
- Gonzo’s Quest
- Book of Dead
- Starburst
- Fairytale Legends: Red Riding Hood
- Jumanji
- Mega Moolah
- The Eye of Horus
- Immortal Romance
- Thunderstruck II
- Bloodsuckers
- League of Fortunes
- Mermaids Millions
Blackjack
Fancy a game of classic blackjack? You’re in luck! This is a staple game at most online casinos. Let’s just say this one has succeeded in withstanding the test of time for a reason.
In fact, the online casino world has created multiple versions of the game. Some of these include Classic or European Blackjack, along with more exciting versions such as 3D Blackjack Multi-Deck Blackjack and many others.
From your end, all you have to do is form a hand that doesn’t exceed 21. You can also win by having a number that is higher that the dealer’s. We can guarantee that every moment of this game is thrilling. You certainly won’t be disappointed!
Roulette
It’s time to get the ball rolling with online roulette! This game is a classic in its own right. It’s all about the iconic roulette wheel – the ball falls on the wheel and you wait in anticipation to see if you’ve won the bet. There’s really nothing quite like it. It’s intense, thrilling and above everything else, it promises some big wins if you play your cards right!
Roulette is fairly easy to understand once you get the hang of it. You need to be familiar with the terminologies and have a good understanding of the game to bring the house down, but other than that, we promise it’s nothing too difficult. What’s great about online roulette is that you can try your hand at several versions.
The classic versions of the game are European, French and American Roulette. You can never go wrong with those three. That said, you should still up your game with more thrilling versions of online roulette with ones such as the following: Multi-Wheel Roulette, Double Ball Roulette and 3D Roulette.
Poker
Get ready to hold ‘em like they do in Texas please! Nothing beats yet another casino classic like poker. Needless to say, this game needs no introduction.
To beat the house, you need to for the highest ranking hand during the showdown. We won’t lie, poker isn’t for the fainthearted, but nonetheless, it’s an intense casino game that promises great fun from start to finish.
Just like blackjack and roulette, poker also comes in different versions. you’ll be Some of the most popular ones include Draw Poker, Texas Hold ‘Em, Caribbean Stud Poker, Three Card Poker etc.
May the best hand win!
Baccarat
Fancy giving James Bond’s favourite game a go? Put simply, you can never go wrong with baccarat. It’s actually very similar to blackjack, but in this case, you need to form a hand that amounts to 9 to win against the banker.
Like every other casino game, there are some differences to keep in mind. In this instance, Baccarat is played with 8 decks of 52 cards. We’re sure you’ll figure everything in no time once you give it a go for free and for real money.
Versions include the following: No Commission Baccarat, Mini Baccarat, Baccarat Professional Series and others.
Live Casino
We’ll conclude this section with none other than the live dealer versions of the games that we’ve just mentioned. Simply put, live casino brings a whole different ball game to the table.
In this case, you can’t play live versions for free for the simple reason that they are streamed in real time from casino studios from all over the world. Essentially, this is what makes them stand out from standard casino games.
And that’s not all! The live casino world allows you to really immerse yourself in an up close and personal online casino experience. For starters, you can choose your own casino room and your own mainstream or VIP table. What’s more you can experience the action from all parts of the room by adjusting the HD multi-angle camera to your liking.
Since it’s called live dealer casino, none of these games are complete without the presence of friendly live dealer. He or she will be in charge of dealing bets, managing the gaming and most importantly, making sure you’re having a good time!
Not a table game player? No problem. Although you’ll find hundreds of live dealer versions that target roulette, blackjack, poker and baccarat players, there are other alternatives too. In fact, Evolution Gaming has created fantastic games that are specifically target for slot players or those who simply don’t like table games. In fact, these live games certainly guarantee thrills and big wins: Monopoly Live, Dream Catcher and Deal or no Deal.
Loyalty Bonuses and Perks
Whilst the games are the heart and soul of every online casino platform, providers should still make it a point to offer something extra to the players who sign up. In this case, we’re talking about generous bonuses and promotions that are available to both registered and existing customers.
From welcome bonuses, to timed promotions, there’s truly something for everyone. And on that note, here’s a list of bonuses that are most likely available on most online casino platforms.
Welcome Bonus – Deposit and No Deposit
We’ll start off with the most popular online casino bonus out there. Every new player who signs up to the platform is treated to a generous welcome bonus package. Generally speaking it consists of free spins, a match cash prize or both! It goes without saying that players need to have a good reason to hit the sign up button.
Of course, the games do play an important part, but a great bonus can make all the difference. In this way, everybody is happy – the casino gains more members whilst players can enjoy something in return for simply signing up. And that’s where welcome bonuses come in.
Generally speaking, you’ll come across two types of welcome bonuses – a deposit bonus and a no deposit one. With a no deposit welcome bonus, you simply have to place a first deposit to claim the bonus.
A no deposit bonus is also self-explanatory. In this case, you are not required to fund your account from the get-go. No deposit bonuses come in handy because you can get a feel of what you can expect from your online casino without spending your cash. That said, no deposit bonuses are quite hard to come by, so make sure you grab them when you do.
Whilst all this sounds very appealing, you still need to keep in mind that every welcome bonus and any other bonus for that matter is tied to a set of Terms and Conditions. Word of advice; please take the time to read them before you agree to anything. In this way, you’ll be aware of any time frames, select days in which you can use your bonus, max and min deposits and wagering requirements.
Weekly/Daily/Monthly Bonuses
If you think existing players are forgotten, think again. Loads of online casino sites offer a wide range of timed promotions on a monthly, weekly and even daily basis! You’ll always be in for a treat with these bonuses for the simple reason that they’re always different. Sometimes they’re free spins or cash prizes, whilst other times you can get your hands on more exclusive ones. (T&Cs Apply)
Reload Bonus
Do you want to enjoy your online casino gaming session without any distractions? We’ve got just the thing for you – a reload bonus!
Some players find it easier to just reload their account so that they can carry on playing their favourite games without any interruptions. As always, do read the Terms and Conditions tied to any reload bonus you’re interested in. Terms and Conditions Apply.
Free Spins Bonus
Fancy some free spins? You’re in luck! Most online casino always have great free spins bonuses that are up for grabs. As we’re sure you can agree, free spins always make an online slot 10 times more exciting.
So, how can you get your hands on them? Well, you’ve got options. Sometimes online casino providers offer them with your welcome bonus, as timed promotions and of course, you can always win them during your gaming session. Terms and Conditions Apply.
High Roller Bonus
This one’s for those players who love to raise the stakes. As you can imagine, the high roller bonus is targeted towards seasoned players who know their way around the online casino world. In fact, the deposits required in this case are much higher than your average €10 or €20 minimum deposit. We’re talking anything from €2000 or over! That said, high rollers can get their money’s worth if they use this bonus. (T&Cs Apply)
Preferred Payment Deposit Bonus
You may also stumble across what is known as the preferred payment deposit bonus. This one’s also quite rare, but it’s still a good idea to claim it if your provider offers it. As the name stands, everything is self-explanatory; all you have to do is select the deposit method that is favoured by the casino site. That’s all there is to it. (T&Cs Apply)
Refer to Friend Bonus
Are you enjoying your online casino experience? Then why don’t you get a friend to join in the fun? What’s great about this bonus is that if your friend does decide to sign up, you can enjoy an exclusive refer to friend bonus in return. These bonuses are hard to come by at times, so make sure you keep your eyes peeled for them. Terms and Conditions Apply.
VIP Bonuses
If you really want to enjoy a bigger selection of bonuses, why not join a loyalty club? Most online casino providers tend to offer an exclusive VIP program for players who play online casino games on a regular basis.
In fact, some sites award loyalty points from the moment a player signs up. Most VIP programs come with different bonus levels. Obviously, the higher the level, the bigger the prizes. So, what’s in store for you if you are part of the VIP club?
We’ll tell you one thing – they’re called VIP bonuses for a reason. In this case, you can claim more free spins, bigger cash prizes, faster withdrawals, exclusive access to casino tournaments and even flight/cruise tickets to exotic destinations!
Simply put, you can only get the royal treatment if you’re part of an online casino VIP program. (T&Cs Apply).
Real Money Banking Options
A great casino should also make it a point to offer an array of banking solutions to all players. In this way, players will won’t ever have to restrict themselves to payment methods they’re not comfortable using for some reason or another.
Lucky for you, most online casinos know what players are after. In fact, the banking options are varied. These range from leading debit and credit cards, e-wallet systems, pre-paid cards, cheques, vouchers, bank transfer and so on. And on that note, here are some of the most popular banking methods that you’re likely to come across on multiple casino platforms:
- Visa
- Mastercard
- Maestro
- PayPal
- PaysafeCard
- Trustly
- Skrill
- Neteller
- Apple Pay
- iDebit
- Interac
- Bank Transfer
Responsible Gambling Measures
Our goal is for every player to have the best time at any online casino they sign up to. Of course, the games and bonuses contribute to lots of thrills and we know you won’t be disappointed. At the same time, we do have to voice our concerns to anybody who decides to create an online casino account.
Responsible gaming is a serious issue that should be every online casino’s priority. For starters, it’s important for every platform to have a valid license from an authorised gaming body. In this way, you can avoid getting scammed by a dodgy operator. If you’re not sure if your platform is licensed, check if any the gaming bodies’ logos are visible at the bottom of the page. You can also check if the casino in question has additional documentation and awards to show that it’s 100% legit.
Keep in mind that only licensed platforms can really protect your safety online. In fact, most operators have built-in SSL technologies that help protect the platform from hackers and other fraudulent activity. Especially where deposits and withdrawals are concerned, reputable casino make sure that things are done by the book. In this respect, you’ll be asked for proof of ID, basic utility bills and other documentation that support your claim.
From your end, you can also take additional measures to help protect your account. For starters, you need to be of age to create an account and wager bets. In this respect, some online casinos permit 18 year olds to sign up, but others may require you to be at least 21.
Additionally, we advise you to log out once you finish a gaming session, especially if you share a computer with kids. Along with that, we strongly recommend you to change your password from time to time.
Responsible gaming isn’t just about licensing and changing passwords. It also tackles your gaming activity online. In this respect, we urge you to never view gambling as anything more than it is. It’s solely a form of entertainment and not a way to make ends meet.
What’s more is that it shouldn’t be considered as the number one priority in your life. At no point should it replace time spent with your family and friends.
Of course, we’re not telling you to not have your fun, but you should do it responsibly. Start by allocating a budget and a time limit. Keep in mind that you should never gambling funds that you can’t afford to lose. On top of that, you shouldn’t go overboard with winning streaks or try to make up for losses by placing more bets.
Remember, you can’t always win. All casino games are games of chance and sometimes you may have to deal with a few losses. Even professional gamblers lose bets sometimes, so it’s completely normal. Always know your limits – you can always gamble tomorrow.
We advise you to make use of the responsible gambling tools provided by your casino. These consist of cool off periods, time limits, self-exclusion and even complete account closure if you think you need it. There’s something for everybody’s preferences, so do make use of any of the aforementioned options to help you keep track of your gaming sessions.
If you think you’re battling a gambling addiction or know someone who’s also experiencing it, please don’t hesitate to seek professional help from gambling councilors at sites such as www.begambleaware.org/.
