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Many new online casinos look stylish and attractive. They have beautiful websites and lobbies jam-packed with slots and card games. Then they have unique bonuses—say wager free slot spins, matched offers and loyalty programs.
Should you give one of these casinos a shot? Maybe you should. But don’t be in a rush. Instead, check these parameters to ensure you join a legitimate, safe and reliable online casino.
License and Safety Checks
A license is the most basic mark of a genuine online casino. It’s also an important check if you want to know whether players from your country are allowed at a specific website. Against that backdrop, an unlicensed casino is worth not your time.
The operator might accept players from your country. But you can’t be guaranteed of your safety. What’s more, there’s no assurance you’ll get quality services. Considering there are so many licensed casinos out there, don’t give unlicensed websites a chance.
Instead, look for a valid license and safety features like SSL encryption, password protection and data privacy policies. In many cases, licensed operators will usually have all the required safety checks in place.
These are requirements to get a license from the Malta Gaming Authority and the UK Gambling Commission. That said, also look for independent audits from companies like eCOGRA and iTechLab. They provide extra assurance that a company has fair games.
Payment Methods and Policies
It goes without saying you need money to play slots and poker at commercial online casinos. So, check the offered payment methods, fees and policies. Credit card companies like Visa and MasterCard are the most common banking choices online.
E-wallets like PayPal, Neteller, Paysafe, Trustly and Sofort follow next. You can also use wire transfer and Bitcoin at many casinos. Usually, the minimum deposit is never higher than €10 or €20 but the maximum amount ranges from €500 to €50,000.
For clarity, payment companies set the maximum amounts you can send, which is why you’re limited to €20 on some apps while others might allow up to €50,000. When it comes to withdrawals, however, the casinos make the rules.
At the best sites, you can cash out as much as you win—no questions asked. At other sites, the limits could be decent, €20,000 or as little as €2000 per month. Join a site with decent limits and quick payouts. You don’t want to wait for ages for your money.
Fair Bonuses and Promotions
As we mentioned earlier, nearly all new casinos have welcome bonuses. So, which bonus should you claim and which ones should you avoid? Check for value. To expound more, claim an incentive you can turn into real cash pretty quickly.
Take cashback offers as an example. You get a percentage of your losses as money you can withdraw. That's a good value because there are no wagering requirements or other terms you need to meet.
In case you’re wondering, there’s a new casino site, Winny, with a 10% cashback on your weekly losses. The promotions apply to slots and there are 2000+ of them to play, from video slots and classics to Megaways and 3D games.
While Winny Casinos awards you cashback money as an incentive, many websites prefer matched bonuses. For example, you could get €100 if you deposit a similar amount or 50 free spins if you top-up €50.
The most generous websites award you bonuses often, from loyalty points to quests, trophy hunts and birthday gifts. Check out these incentives but read their policies to understand how they work beforehand.
Game Variety
What are your favourite slots? What's your preferred poker game? Check if you can find these games before you sign up at a new casino site. Many new operators come packed with slots, so it's hard not to find your favourites, but check the providers listed anyways.
Lookout out for the big brands: NetEnt, Microgaming, Playtech, Play’n GO, BTG, Quickspin and Betsoft. They own many of the best-rated games out there. However, pay attention to the lesser-known developers too. Their games might not be famous but they could be attractive to play and have high RTP rates.
If you like table games like Poker, blackjack and roulette, look for a casino with a live dealer section. You'll have the chance to play your favourite games with friends, all while you can chat and see one another online.
Other crucial games to look out for are progressive jackpots, video poker, scratch cards and bingo. Some sites also feature sports betting. Check for a sportsbook if you also like to bet on sports.
Contacts and Customer Service
One attractive feature of new casinos is that they support chatbots. You don’t have to wait for a week for your email to get a reply. You can drop a message and get instant feedback 24/7. Of course, operators vary.
As such, not every new website offers customer assistance 24/7. Many companies provide support services during working hours (09 am to 11 pm. Others have rule staff members. Read online reviews to gauge the quality of customer service you can expect from a site.
In the same spirit, read reviews to learn more about a casino’s reputation. For example, how fast does it payout to winners? Does its website lag? Logically, choose top-rated gaming websites.
Mobile Support
In this era of smartphones, more and more people browse the Internet through iPhones and android devices than Windows and Apple computers. You probably love your smartphone too, so choose a website that operates smoothly on mobile gadgets.
How do you know a casino is mobile-friendly? Do a quick test. Search the casino’s name on your iPhone and observe how fast it loads. Then assess the response from its web pages. Do they lag? Does the website fit on your smartphone?
If you have doubts, check online reviews. You'll get a better understanding of what to expect. Preferably, read reviews that share the good and the bad of an operator. None of them is flawless, anyway.
