How to strike gold when picking an online casino site
Casino sites seem to grow in number every day on the internet. How do you know which one is best for you? Following these 6 simple tips will enable you to cut through the casino’s own marketing hype and to choose the best casino for you.
1. A good casino will always be licensed
Under the Gambling Act 2005, all UK casinos – whether online or land based – need to have a license that covers all of the games that they are offering. If you find an online casino that is not licensed (most casinos will display their license numbers prominently on their ‘About’ page or in a similar location, or will provide details on request), stay well away from it, no matter how attractive its bonuses look. A license is the most basic of requirements for a UK casino. Now, it’s time to move on to other factors that are significant in your quest to sift the good from the bad.
2. Check that your UK casino offers the games that you like playing
There is no point in signing up to a casino that does not provide Texas Hold’Em Poker, if this is the only game that you plan on playing. It can be fun to try out new casino games from time to time, though, but if you want to make sure before you jump in casino mir’s site is a good source of information on the subject. A good casino will offer a real mix of games (everything from slot machines to roulette) so this should not be too much of an issue. Many casinos will provide a free trial or a guided tour, so that you can get a feel for the site before signing up definitively.
3. Look at the fees and commissions
Deposits, withdrawals and account upgrades can all come with fees attached. When you win at a game, the casino may charge a commission (and if you are playing a live dealer game, it is often polite to tip the dealer from your winnings). Good casinos are transparent about the fees and commissions that they charge, and will list them for you on their site. Choosing the best casino for you is heavily dependent on finding a casino that does not charge bank breaking fees simply to withdraw your winnings. The last thing that you want is for a large percentage of your glorious winnings to be recouped by the casino in the form of a ‘service charge’.
4. Are there any bonus codes?
The best casinos will offer attractive bonuses not just to new customers but also to existing players. Bonuses might take the form of a doubling or trebling of your deposit, free spins, or free withdrawals for a certain period of time. All bonuses should be listed with their terms and conditions explained clearly so that you can see if there are any ‘catches’. One common ‘catch’ to look out for is a condition stating that you can only withdraw the money that you make from a bonus if it is above a certain minimum amount.
5. Have a look at the customer service
The best online UK casinos provide 24 hour customer service in a variety of media, including via online chat and over the phone. This can be a real lifesaver if you are having a problem withdrawing your winnings, for example, and you need a human being to intervene in the system and help you out. With many VIP accounts, you will even get your own designated personal assistant! If the casino you are thinking of using does not provide clear contact details, alarm bells should sound. Few things are more stressful for the keen gambler than a casino whose staff seem to go AWOL whenever they have an issue that they need to be resolved. Test out the casino’s customer service before you sign up by giving them a call or contacting them via email or online chat to discuss opening an account with them. See how quickly they answer and how friendly and helpful they are.
6. Is there an app?
Over two thirds of us access the web primarily through our smartphones. Online casinos are increasingly responding to this fact by providing handy apps that you can use to play online games and make deposits and withdrawals. Some apps will offer fewer products and services than the desktop versions of a casino – ensure that you have checked precisely what is available with an app before you commit to downloading it.
Now you’re ready to go – and have a bonus seventh tip on us
The six point guide above will help you to select the best casino for your needs. We have been talking about the value of bonuses, so here is a bonus tip for finding a good casino: read reviews of the casino that you are thinking of signing up to. Nothing will give you more of an insight into the experience of being a client at that casino. Reviews will tell you everything from how long it really takes to withdraw your cash to how easy it seems to be to win on certain games. Now you are equipped with the knowledge that you need to make the right decision regarding which casino to play at, all that remains is for us to wish you good luck.