Beginners Guide to Online Casinos

Last Updated on January 17, 2023 by Jennifer Wright

‘Casino’ has a unique zing to it. Doesn’t it?

While some people find it a tad dodgy, millions of people enjoy it all over the world. Presently, with the boom of the internet, the entire casino experience has changed worldwide. It has brought casino games to everyone’s fingertips.

Beginners Guide to Online Casinos

If you think of taking a plunge or signing-up for an online casino, this guide can help you a lot. We have created a comprehensive guide on online casinos for beginners to help you have a blinding experience.

So, let’s find out all about online casinos!

 

What Are Online Casinos and Games?

Online casinos, also known as virtual casinos, enable players to play and wager on casino games through the internet. It is a form of online gambling that is legal in most countries of the European Union, several nations in the Caribbean, some states of the United States, and in some provinces of Canada.

According to the official Gambling Commission, the UK leads the way in the online gambling industry. The internet has brought alive various new online casino games and has changed the gambling industry’s face in the 21st century.

Different types of online casinos games

Did you get confused with the variety of online casino games when you began looking for it?

There are hundreds of casinos offering thousands of different online casino games to spoil you with various choices. But we have listed the most popular ones for you to play and enjoy.

 

Slot Games

They are the easiest games that you can play online. It originated from the slot machine games in traditional casinos and is currently the most enjoyed online casino games. It ranges from classic three-reel slots with no features to six-reel slots with various bonuses, free spins, and multiplier features.

Random number generators (RNGs) mechanism controls the generation of the outcome to ensure fair play, and return-to-player (RTP) percentages determine the chances of winning. Any slot game with a minimum of 95% or higher RTP is a brilliant game with an increased chance of winning for you.

 

Jackpot Games

They are a kind of slot games that feature a sum of money to be won by players. The more you play, the more your chances get for winning.

These games have fixed jackpots that retain the same-value prize and get replaced with a new one of the same value as someone has won. If you are a beginner, go for these games, as it will give you a taste of winning, even if the prize is small.

 

Different Types of Progressive Jackpot Games

Progressive jackpot games are also a type of slot game, but the sum of jackpot multiplies. The amount increases with each spin as a tiny percentage of every coin played by players goes into the progressive jackpot. It swells into large sums of money, like £1,000,000 for Mega Fortune, over time.

You can either go with progressive jackpot games with a single casino game featured in multiple casinos or with a distributed type of jackpot split between several games in several casinos like Mega Moolah Isis and Batman the Dark Knight.

But as a beginner, it’s best not to fall for these. They are hard to win and can easily take you down the hole, losing a lot of money.

 

Tables Games/ Live Dealer Casino Games

Online casinos have brought these table games into the reach of players at the comfort of their homes. You play them on a table operated by one or more live dealers or on a mechanical device like a slot machine.

All you need is knowledge of the gameplay and a basic level of skill to surpass the slots. The rules of the gameplay vary with each type of table game. Make sure to keep an eye on the house edge percentage and the pace you play table games. It can go out of hand fast, letting you lose more money than winning anything.

Some of the popular live dealer casino/tables games are –

  • Blackjack
  • Roulette
  • Baccarat

 

Video Poker

Another favourite casino game that you can mostly find online is video poker. It is a game based on a five-card draw, and the online form gives multiple chances of winnings. If you can successfully eliminate the house edge, it has a payback percentage that can reach up to 99%.

 

Other Games

Similar to the lottery, these games warrant loads of fun with the added excitement of playing with real money. The prizes may not be high, but these social casino games make online gambling fun. Some of the known games are –

  • Keno
  • Bingo

 

Scratchcards

These are like instant lotteries that do not require any strategies to play and win. It can be both fun and financially rewarding. Different scratchcards have different prizes, and luck is the biggest factor to win. Some of the famous scratchcard games in the UK are Instant Millionaire, Fruity Flurry, and 777.

 

Sports Betting

It is a modern branch of the UK online casino experience. It offers players to bet on a wide range of different sports like football, horse racing, fighting (boxing and UFC), cricket, rugby, Formula 1, greyhound racing, etc. If you are an avid sports fan, follow the game and place your bets to win.

 

Mobile Casino Games

Game manufacturers and established online casinos have made casinos easily accessible with new-generation, mobile-first players games. They have raised the bar for usability, speed, and overall enjoyment in online casino games. Now, you have various slot games, scratch games, and online bingos to try out any time, any place you like.

 

What To Look, When Choosing An Online Casino Game?

When you decide to play an online casino game, look for certain factors to select an online casino –

●     Online Casino Games on Offer

While choosing an online casino, check out their site first to see the varieties of casino games they offer like slots, table games, live dealer, mobile casino games (instant or downloadable), etc. Go for the one that provides most of the games you are interested in playing.

 

●     Banking Methods

It’s a vital aspect to look at if you are playing with actual money. Top online casinos will have various banking methods for players to choose from, like debit cards, credit cards – Mastercard & Visa, E-wallets – PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, prepaid cards, bank deposit, etc. Pick the one that

  • Is most convenient for you
  • Is the safest and most secure
  • Have the lowest banking fees

 

●     Wagering Requirements

 

It is the number of times you need to play to withdraw your bonus. You must read the wagering requirements of an online casino before deciding to play any of their games.

 

Cause if you fail, mate, you can end up losing both your bonus money and your winnings!

 

●     Different Types of Bonuses and Their Conditions

 

As a new player, you will find most online casinos offering welcome bonuses. It’s an excellent opportunity to get some package deals or free spins!

Apart from it, you can get deposit bonuses for using site-preferred banking methods or by depositing a particular figure, reload bonuses every time you deposit cash, and loyalty bonuses as a reward for playing regularly.

While you take advantage of these bonuses, keep an eye on the conditions attached to it to avoid any surprises later down the line.

 

●     Gambling Licences

 

If you are sceptical about trying out online casino games over safety, check their licenses!

 

All reputed casinos in the UK will have a valid license issued by the UK Gambling Commission for online casino games. It’s issued to them only when the casino company guarantees safety and security protocols. It signifies that they submit to regular financial and tax auditing and ensure compliances on all fronts of their operations.

 

●     Safety & Security Protocols

 

Go with the reputed online casino gaming companies, as they use cutting-edge technology to protect your sensitive personal and financial data. Avoid the companies that have been blacklisted for slow payments or unsafe payments and go with those who provide secure SSL encryption that guarantees safe transactions.

Furthermore, look for only legit online casinos as they use sophisticated software to protect and keep their website virus free and safe to use.

 

●     Deposits and Withdrawals Conditions

 

As a beginner, pick the casinos that have no deposit options!

 

It gives you a chance to get an overall idea of rules and gameplay before you start spending money. When you choose an online casino game with a deposit, go for the one that has multiple deposit options and preferably the one that suits you.

In contrast to the deposits, withdrawals can take a long time with conditions about identity checks to make your first withdrawal. As a requirement of the licensing authority, they can also ask for additional documents like

  • a copy of your passport
  • or a copy of your driving license
  • and proof of your address

 

Quick TIP: Provide all this information to the customer support team after joining the casino for swift processing.

 

●     Reputation Among the Players

 

Just because a casino is licensed, it doesn’t mean it can’t have a bad reputation!

 

It’s one of the most critical factors to look at while picking an online casino. Read reviews online on casino review sites and speak to some casino players to get honest feedback. Some of the reasons for a bad reputation among players could be:

  • Inadequate customer service
  • Delayed withdrawal processing
  • Too many documents and conditions for making withdrawals
  • Scarcity of game selections
  • Limited payment options
  • Shortage of new game releases
  • Slow server response and frequent hang issues
  • Lack of deposit methods

 

●     Customer Support Available

 

Go with those online casinos that support players all-the-way!

 

Look for those casinos that provide top-notch customer service through the most popular channels –

  • Email
  • Phone
  • Live chat
  • Social media

You can reach various customer support channels through theHelp’ orSupportpage of the online casino sites. The more approachable the company is, the more dependable it is for you as a beginner to play their online casino games.

Opening An Account & Signing Up for An Online Casino Game

 

Most online casinos have their login and sign-up buttons on the top-right-hand-side of the homepage. Once you have finalized the casino, click on the “Join Now” or “Sign In” button. It will ask you to provide an email address and create a password.

 

Some sites might ask for additional information like your nationality, gender, age, home address, etc. You must provide all the information accurately, as it not only avoids any issues with your account verification but also prevents criminal exploitation, such as cybercrime and money laundering.

 

On the next page, enter your mobile number to receive a validation code. As you receive the text message, enter the code in the box. Lastly, don’t forget to read the terms and conditions of the casino carefully before ticking it.

 

Congratulations! Now you can officially start playing!.

Should You Play With Actual Cash?

 

After all, it’s gambling! Only you can determine what’s right for you.

 

If you have enough disposable income, have no addiction issues, and have researched thoroughly about reputed casinos. You can play with cash by setting a budget for gambling and enjoy online casino games.

Tips and Tricks To Help Keep a Healthy Bankroll

 

  • Always set a budget to play with cash as it will help you stay in control.
  • Keep your playing allowance (money for your bankroll) and your savings (other money) separate.
  • As a beginner, always try out games in a free or demo mode before playing with money.
  • It’s gambling, so if you experience a string of losses, avoid chasing them with more money.
  • Don’t wager above what you can lose comfortably.
  • Choose only those casinos which get independently audited with companies such as eCOGRA to avoid falling prey to malpractices.

How Online Casinos Detect Dishonest Activities?

Most established casinos have their private investigative unit for cases involving fraud and other serious criminal offences. As a player, all you can do is follow the rules and abide by the casino’s terms and conditions.

 

Play honestly to avoid punitive actions!

The Best Games for Beginners

There are plenty of online casinos that offer a rich and diverse selection of games with unique rules and special features. If you are new to casino games and unsure where to begin, the best casino game for you to start with is “Slots.”  Most of them have demo mode or free play that lets you familiarize yourself with rules and gameplay.

 

Test Out Online Casinos with Some Free Games

Try those online casinos with free slot games, table games, scratch cards, video poker games, and instant win games using virtual credits. As these games require no deposit or any money, it’s a perfect way to practise playing online casino games and understanding how everything works.

Gambling Responsibly

Gambling online is fun, but things can go out of hand fast, leading to addiction. Stop playing if you these signs –

 

  • You are continually looking for gambling options
  • Your behaviour gets annoyed or irritable often
  • You avoid spending time with friends and family
  • You start stealing money to fund your gambling expenses
  • You feel tired, yet you continue to gamble and think about it all the time.

The Do’s & Don’ts of Online Casino Games:

DO’s:

  • Always read the terms and conditions for the online casino before you sign in
  • Play a game only when you know the rules
  • Keep track of your funds and set healthy limits for losses so that you know when to stop playing
  • Stay calm and focused when you are playing, and avoid rushing for the next bet
  • Checkout RTP, wagering requirements, bonus conditions, and payout percentages to foresight into your odds of winning and losing

 

DON’Ts:

  • Don’t set unrealistic expectations of winning and bet blindly
  • Do not play for hours without breaks and wager more money than you can afford
  • Do not play under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • In case of any issues, don’t hesitate to contact the customer service of online casinos
  • Avoid giving false information about your identity, especially your age, or commit fraud

Conclusion

We hope you gain some valuable insights about the online casino from it and use the guide to have an exciting experience of playing for the first time.

 

Just remember –

 

All casino games are lucrative and are filled with offers to gobsmack you!

 

So, stay focused, follow the rules, and use these tips to gambling responsibly and have fun.