For modern-day gamblers, there’s nothing better than logging onto an online casino and enjoying some precious gaming time. Before the days of the internet, you could only have gambled at a casino if you visited or lived in the vicinity of one of the few towns and cities allowing licenced gambling houses. Nowadays, gambling has never been more accessible. Whether you want to play on your computer, tablet or mobile, there are plenty of casinos ready to welcome you. Each has its own unique charm. However, if you are new to online casinos you may find yourself overloaded with information and not know where to begin.
Getting started
First of all, you have to choose which casino you want to play at. It can help to read casino reviews and compare websites to get a sense of the options that are available. What’s the best casino? There is no single answer to this question and all comes down to personal preference. Different people like different casinos for different reasons.
After you’ve chosen an online casino, you may be eager to get up and running and place that first bet. However, there are a few steps that casinos require in order to sign up and set up player accounts. This is for the security, safety and wellbeing of all online casino players. Since you’ll be playing for real money, there are plenty of controls and regulations in place, and you’ll be expected to share some of your personal and financial details. Although it may seem like a chore, any additional security steps will ensure your money and personal details will be secure.
Safety first
All casinos in the United Kingdom have strict rules to follow that are regulated and supervised by the Gambling Commission. You can always search online to check if a casino has been blacklisted. This is a list of casinos that have been found to be unreliable and haven’t complied with regulations in the past. If you have any concerns that a casino isn’t appropriately licensed, or isn’t following appropriate security measures then you should avoid it. Safety is always the number one concern.
Bonuses
After working your way through the sign-up process, you’ll find yourself being rewarded with bonus money. There are a variety of deposit bonuses, free spins and other types of bonuses that online casinos offer to attract new punters. When it comes to free spins, you’re entitled to a certain amount of slot machine spins where you get the chance of winning without having to fork out any money. However, as with any bonuses offered, there are certain terms and conditions that you need to be aware of.
When you deposit, say £20 in your new account, the casino may reward you with a welcome bonus of say, £40. This may sound great, receiving a “free” £40 for doing hardly anything. However, all casinos will have wagering requirements attached to the bonus. These exist to stop you from merely taking the money and running. That’s why, when you sign up for a new casino, you don’t just look at the amount of the bonus but look for the multiplier that goes with it. For example, a 35x wagering requirement means that you have to gamble the total of your deposit and bonus 35 times before you can withdraw it. That’s why it’s always best to think of an online casino bonus as providing you with free gambling as opposed to providing you with free money.
What games can you play online
Unlike your local, brick and mortar casino, where there may only be a handful of table games to play at, online casinos have a whole variety of games on offer. Some of these are very straight forward like basic slot games, whereas some are a little more complicated like craps and baccarat, requiring you to understand several rules. Of course, you’ll find all the classics like blackjack and roulette. Some games, like Texas Holdem poker attract high rollers and expert players where complex strategies and tactics have been developed over years of playing. Poker is usually played against other players, whereas most casino games are played against the casino itself.
Just remember that the odds of winning over the long run always favour the casino. This is known as the house edge and is the way that both online and physical casinos can make money and continue to stay in business. If you’re new to a game then it helps to read the rules first and continue to review the rules after you’ve started playing. You should also start by placing relatively small bets until you get the hang of things. Some platforms even allow you to play for no money so even though you don’t get the rush of gambling, you’ll at least know the rules for when it counts and money is on the line.
The live experience
If you’re a fan of going to physical casinos then you may feel that online casinos lack the live excitement you get by sharing a table with other gamblers and watching a croupier spin the wheel. This lack of “live” experience has led to the development of the live casino. It’s been a big technological breakthrough in the industry and involves a live stream from a casino or studio where a dealer or croupier operates a game while gamblers can place their bets online.
Just imagine, you can be in your home, at work or anywhere else and play a few spins of roulette as if you were in a casino. Things have since developed further than merely trying to mimic the land-based casino experience. Live casinos are now more popular than ever, and feature live, charismatic hosts giving online gambling a highly dynamic and interactive experience that adds an entertaining element that you usually get from game shows.
Conclusion
If you’re new to gambling or not overly comfortable with the online world, then online casinos can seem daunting at first. It may take a little while to get going but once you do, there’s a lot fun to be had. There are so many options out there when it comes to online gambling. Just remember that safety is your first priority and you shouldn’t feel rushed into things. Take a little time to get acquainted with what’s on offer and once you’ve got things figured out you’re in for some fun times.
Please play responsibly. For more information and advice visit www.begambleaware.org
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