There are many beginner guides out there that cover all the little details that a new player should know about online casinos. The truth is, though, some of these details are easier to figure out than others so those guides are often filled with obvious and unnecessary facts that distract you from the ones that are not that obvious but you should definitely know. This is why, instead of yet another casino guide, I decided to simply make a post where I focus on those specific details that a new player might not konw. So here are 8 must-know facts about casinos sites:
Online Casinos Can Be Trusted
Many beginner players are suspicious about online casinos as they think they are rigged or spammy. Don’t get me wrong, to some extent it’s good that they are not diving head-first into playing real money games online, but the fact to the matter is that if a gambling site holds an official gambling licence, they are perfectly safe to play at. For British players, a legal casino would mean one that is licensed by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission which makes sure that the sites under their jurisdiction are trustworthy, fair and regularly audited by independent testing agencies.
The Sites Won’t Provide Your Personal Details to Third Parties
When you register at a real money gambling site, you should always use your real name and address so that later down the road you can withdraw your winnings. Many people, of course, are not willing to give away their personal information that easily so they are often hesitant about opening an account at an online casino. The truth to the matter is that if a casino operator is legal, then they are obliged to have privacy policy where they explain how they would use and protect your personal information. There, they usually state that they won’t provide your sensitive data to third parties except to certain approved and trusted ones about which they let you know in advance. Furthermore, the websites are obliged by law to protect your privacy by any necessary means from third-party attacks by encrypting the connection between their servers and your computer with an SSL certificate.
It Does Help to Know the Rules of the Games
Many beginner players think that in gambling it’s all luck and that knowing the rules and the specifics of a certain game cannot contribute at all to the end result. While for many casino games, such as slots, this is true, in other games you have to make decisions which can impact the outcome of the hand. I’m talking mainly about video poker and blackjack, where playing with the perfect strategy can reduce the house edge significantly and where knowing the rules and the odds can really help you get ahead. Especially in blackjack it’s very important to check the specific set of rules of the game you’re about to play, as pretty much all the variations available online are very different and, consequently, require different strategies.
Some Games Give You Better Chances Than Others
The rules and features of each casino game variation are set in such a way so that in the long run the casino wins a small percentage of all the money wagered on the game. This percentage is called house edge while the percentage of the money that goes back to the players as winnings is called a return-to-player percentage or RTP. The house edge and the RTP always amount to 100%. The theoretical RTP of each game is displayed in the help section of the game and is different for each game, usually raging from 92% to 99%. Therefore, there are some games that give you way better chances at winning than others. Just make sure to check the RTP of the game your are about to play, as if it’s too low, you might want to switch to another one.
Reading the Terms & Conditions Is, In Fact, Helpful
I know how annoying it can be to go through the terms and conditions of a site or service, but, unfortunately, it’s a necessary evil. When it comes to online casinos it’s good to learn about the rules for using the site in general, but it’s really crucial to read the terms and conditions for claiming the bonuses offered at the casino. This way you can learn how many times you have to wager the bonus amount before you can withdraw, which are the eligible games, the minimum required deposit for opting in and more really important details which you need to know so that you can take full advantage of the promotion.
Some Payment Methods Are Better Than Others
Each online casino supports a different set of payment methods, the most popular among which are Visa and MasterCard credit cards, debit cards, PayPal, Neteller, Wire Transfer, Paysafecard and Skrill. For the most part, it doesn’t matter which of these payment options you choose in terms of security but you might want to consider some other details. For example, some casinos apply fees for only certain payment methods which is something that you should definitely check and take into consideration before depositing. Furthermore, the different payment methods come with different minimum deposit requirements. But even more importantly, some payment methods are faster than the others. For example, if you make a deposit using an e-wallet, prepaid voucher or a credit/debit card, your deposit will be processed almost instantly while if you make a deposit using bank transfer you’ll have to wait up to 3 business days. When it comes to withdrawals, on the other hand, the fastest methods are the e-wallets. Note that though they are very convenient for depositing, prepaid cards cannot be used for withdrawals.
Online Casinos Come In Different Forms
You probably already know that the software that online casinos are using is usually developed by outside companies. These software platforms come in a few different forms. First of all, there’s the traditional download software of the casino which you can install and access directly from your desktop. Then there’s the instant-play platforms which is accessible from the site of the casino, directly in the browser. Furthermore, all online casinos also have a mobile version which is compatible with the most popular devices and mobile operating systems.
Playing Online Is Actually Better Than Playing Offline
Many players don’t trust online casinos and prefer to play at land-based casinos, but the fact to the matter is that online casinos are actually more trustworthy and generous than the land-based ones, as they are regulated way more strictly (as long as they are legal, of course). The games there are usually set at way higher RTP compared to land-based casinos which means that your chances to win are bigger. Furthermore, on the Internet there are way more promotions and juicier welcome packages. Even the guys that simply like playing and interacting with real dealers have no excuse – all reputable online casinos nowadays have live casino sections where you can play roulette, blackjack, baccarat or Casino Hold’em in the company of professional croupiers. You can get the same experience without having to set a foot outside of your home or while you’re on the go, on your Android device, iPhone or iPad.