What to Consider When Playing for Real Money at an Online Casino

Main Advantages of Online Casinos Vs Land-Based Casinos

While playing at a casino online as opposed to a brick-and-mortar casino can be down to personal choice, there are a few clear advantages to doing so.

Convenience is undoubtedly the number one positive point, as it’s now possible to play at a casino online via an app, on your phone, or other mobile device. Whether you like to gamble on the go or from the comfort of your sofa, playing for real money at a casino no longer means having to travel to a specific location.

Physical space is something online casinos don’t need to worry about, so they can pack their virtual floors with literally hundreds of games, from slots to live poker. If variety is the spice of life, then online casinos must be a finely-flavored gourmet meal.

Finally, if you’re a fan of slot machines, then it’s also worth pointing out that online slots typically boast higher RTP (Return To Player) percentages than land-based counterparts. Take a look at any well-known software provider, such as NetEnt or Microgaming, and you’ll find games with generous RTP values between 96 – 99%

How Safe is Online Gambling?

The short answer is “very”, but like any activity that involves the transfer of personal and financial information, it’s not without its risks. Luckily, there are a number of ways to ensure you remain safe when playing with real money at a casino.

Security Protocols

The main thing to check before you play at an online casino is its security certification. There are a few renowned companies who provide security protocols online. One of the most common is Verisign, and another is Norton. 

Both these companies, and others like them, certify SSL (Secure Socket Layer) technology. This is a form of 128 or 256 bit encryption, that helps protect information as it’s transferred online (for example, when you complete a form and submit your personal information to a website).

Before you use an online casino, check its Privacy Policy – this is usually the place you’ll find any relevant information as to how the casino stores, uses and protects your personal data.

Also, many reputable gambling sites display security information, or provide easy-to-find links, on their front page.

Gambling Regulations in Different Countries

Gambling online is completely legal in the UK, and many parts of Europe such as France. Both these countries have very clear and strict guidelines and regulations.

The US is an excellent example of just how different gambling laws can be within the same country, as there are still many states that prohibit online gambling. Other states, such as New Jersey and Pennsylvania, allow online gambling but only if you’re a resident of those states. 

South America, generally speaking, allows online gambling, but not in Brazil.

Asia is another example of a country with vastly different laws, due to the sheer size of the place. China doesn’t allow online gambling, for instance, except in Hong Kong and then only certain types.

Australia also has a tight leash on gambling activities, as a few are allowed in land-based casinos, but even less online.

Online Gambling Licences and Commissions

The main thing to keep in mind before you spend real money at a casino online is if it’s legal for you to gamble on it. It’s easy to assume that, because a site is licenced, it’s okay to use. However, this is also dangerous as many gambling sites implement strict procedures to catch out illegal gamblers.

International Gambling

There are also a few well-known gambling commissions that allow international (and US) gamblers, even if the website isn’t registered in that particular country/state. Three of the most common are the Alderney Gambling Control Commission, Curacao, and Malta’s Lottery and Gaming Authorities.

United States Gambling Licences

As mentioned above, gambling laws in the US vary wildly between states. Some states allow online gambling, but may not cover certain sports, like horse racing. 

Since there are so many different states and laws, it’s easier to note that if a casino allows gambling online, it should make this information very easy to find. For example, New Jersey is arguably at the forefront of online gambling in the US. As such, any site operating in the state is licenced by the Division of Gaming Enforcement.

Responsible Gambling: Start With Free Games

It’s usually possible to use an online casino for free because that particular site offers demo versions of its games. This tip is especially useful if you’ve never used real money at a casino online before, as it means you can get a feel for slots before laying down actual cash.

How To Choose the Best Casino for You

Many online casinos use KYC (Know Your Customer) procedures and Geolocation to verify that a player is actually resident in a country/state that allows gambling. Therefore, it’s imperative that you make sure a website accepts gamblers from your place of residence before you register.

Also, before you spend real money at a casino online, make sure you’re satisfied that the casino is correctly secure, ie. uses SSL and, ideally, has an in-depth privacy policy. 

Let’s say you’ve narrowed your list down to a handful of legitimate online casinos. What next? You could see which software providers these casinos use, as well as if any of them offer a free play option. What kind of games do you like? Which casinos offer these types of games?

Two of the most important factors to consider when using real money at a casino online include payment options and promotions. Do you have a preferred payment method? Which casinos accept it? Are the welcome bonuses relevant to your tastes, and can you use them with your payment method?

If you make sure to ask yourself these questions, you’ll be playing online in no time.

Get a Headstart With Our Pick of the Top Five Online Casinos

If you’re still unsure where to play at a casino online, take a look at our selection of best reputable online casinos around. All of them are fully licenced (many in multiple countries) and secure, with decent bonuses and selections of games.