If you are looking to get signed up to an online casino and enjoy some thrilling betting action, then you will want to read on. The online casino industry is ever-changing with developments in technology, regulation, and much more. There’s plenty you will learn as a casino player but there is much to be aware of before you sign up and start placing real money bets. Knowing these things will help you pick an online casino platform that is more suitable to your needs and requirements. Let us look at some casino facts that you should familiarise yourself with.
Casino licenses
As a casino player, you should be aware of the licensing and regulations that the online casino operates under. There are many gaming licenses that have different levels of regulation, with some licenses allowing casinos to operate without being closely regulated, this leaves the door open for foul play to take place.
There are some reputable licensing bodies that keep a close eye on the gaming activity of the casino operator. These include regulation by the UK Gambling Commission or the Malta Gaming Authority. These are two highly regarded licensing bodies in the gaming industry and ensure the casino provides a safe and fair gaming experience.
Another popular gaming certification is the Curaçao license which is considered mid-range in the industry. Although the casino can be trusted for the best part, the regulator does not get too involved in the nitty-gritty. Moreover, the shady casino regulation comes in the form of a Panama or Costa Rican gaming license, so it would be wise to avoid playing at any casino site that is regulated under these regions.
Furthermore, if you are a UK resident, then it is illegal for any online gambling companies to accept wagers from you unless they have a UK Gambling Commission license. The UKGC ensures that games are fair, the operator acts responsibly, and players’ funds are protected.
Game fairness
This leads us to our next fact to be aware of, relating to the license conditions set out by the UKGC and MGA. The most reputable online casino sites work with third-party auditing services to ensure the games payout fairly. These independent auditing services put the games through rounds of betting and calculate the return to player percentages, ensuring it is the same as what is advertised. Of course, the RTP rates will always favor the casino, but you want peace of mind knowing that you are playing against the set RTP and not something far more challenging.
The average RTP is around 96%, which in theory means if you place £100 of wagers, you should receive £96 in winnings back. This is worked over the long term and not something to expect with every £100 you wager. If a casino guarantees fair play through independent game testing, then you’ll see the stamp of approval located in the casino website’s footer. The most notable auditing services include iTechLabs and eCOGRA.
Bonuses and promotions
Online casinos offer many bonuses and promotions, all of which come in different forms. You can give your gameplay a boost through welcome bonuses, free spins, cashback offers, and more. The bonus offers will vary from casino to casino, and some casinos may not offer bonuses at all. It is always worth sussing out what types of bonuses the casino offers before you register your details. Here are some of the types of bonus offers you can expect to find.
Welcome bonuses
These are often referred to as match bonuses, providing the bonus amount is 100% of your deposit. This is the amount the casino will give back in bonus money when you make a deposit. For example, if you find a 200% bonus up to £200 and you deposit £100, you will get a £200 bonus and a total of £300 in funds.
Free spins
This is the most popular form of bonus and is regularly dished out by many casino operators. This is simply a batch of spins to play on a certain slot game. You can also find free spins batched together with a welcome bonus.
Cashback
The cashback offer comes in many forms, but the usual deal is up to 10% cashback on losses issued every week.
Wagering requirements
There are many terms you should familiarise yourself with before claiming a bonus offer, but none is more important than the wagering requirement. This term is what determines the value of the bonus and how difficult it would be to turn your bonus money, or winnings, into real withdrawable cash. The industry standard wagering requirement for a welcome bonus is around 35 times the bonus amount. This means if you have £100 in bonus money, you will need to wager a total of £3 500 before the bonus funds convert to withdrawable cash. The lower the bonus wagering amount, the easier it is to fulfill the wagering requirement, and the fairer it is generally considered.
With online casino competition for players, many operators offer bonuses with zero wagering. This means you get to keep any winnings from the bonus without restrictions. Although a no wagering casino is not as common, they do exist. However, there will be other terms in place to prevent players from abusing the relaxed terms. These terms include a max win amount, max bet amount, and restrictions on which games can be played using the wager-free bonus. Always be sure to read through the terms and conditions before claiming a bonus promotion.
Payment options
Online casinos work with different payment providers, so it is worth checking if your preferred banking method is accepted. What is more, you should check out the transaction times for withdrawals, with some casinos taking up to seven working days to complete withdrawal requests. Additionally, there are online casinos that will charge processing fees for deposits and withdrawals. Ideally, you want to find a casino site that does not add unnecessary processing fees to the transactions.
Responsible gaming
While gambling is enjoyed responsibly by the vast majority of players, it is important to always consider gambling as a fun pastime and never a way to make money. The thrill and (false) expectations of winning money can, however, cause some players to develop an unhealthy addiction and begin betting with money they cannot afford to lose.
All properly regulated online casino sites have an obligation to provide their players with tools and information to encourage safe gaming habits. These tools include account limitations, such as deposit limits, loss limits, wager limits, and time limits. You can usually apply these to your account directly from your account dashboard. It is always a smart idea to set up a deposit limit and even a time limit, this way you can stick to your budget and prevent getting lost in chasing wins.
Final thoughts
You should take some time to explore any new online casino before you register your details. You should check out the variety of promotions and the bonus terms that go with them. What is more, shop around for a welcome bonus and pick the one that takes your fancy, just make sure the wagering terms are fair and achievable. If you carry out the appropriate checks then you can give yourself a better chance of enjoying your casino experience. Remember, online casino gaming should be fun so please play responsibly.
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