The online gambling industry is constantly growing and expanding with more online casinos launching regularly. While some online casinos are worth visiting, others have too many restrictions or could be possible scams. It’s important to know how to identify a legit and safe online casino.
Here are 6 points to consider when trying to find a legal and safe online casino:
1. Licensing
One of the first things to look for when considering an online casino is if they are licensed by a gaming authority. Online casinos that are licensed by top gaming authorities such as the United Kingdom Gambling Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority adhere to strict rules and regulations.
In order to obtain a license these casinos need to go through a strict vetting process and only the best casinos get approved with all the right safety measures and security protocols in place. Licensing of a site will generally be displayed at the bottom of the website homepage.
2. Reputation
Apart from the license, you can also take a few minutes to do a bit of research on the casino to see what pops up when you search it. Take the time to read through player reviews and see what the majority of complaints are about, how it is handled and if they are generally happy at the casino. A casino’s reputation can speak volumes and within a few minutes you can find out all you need to know by reading through the experiences of others who have tried the casino before.
3. Software Providers & Game Variety
Another tell-tale sign of a safe and secure online casino site is the software providers and number of games they have available. Industry-leading software providers are not prone to display their games on fraudulent casino sites. Thus if a casino has a large gaming library filled with games from top software providers such as NetEnt, Microgaming, Yggdrasil Gaming, Evolution Gaming and Betsoft it is generally considered a good casino. Always check to see if any of these reputable software developers are mentioned as a primary software platform provider at the casino.
And from there take the time to browse through the game library to see what they have on offer. The highest-ranking online casinos will always offer a large variety of casino games including a massive online slot selection, a proper card and table game selection, live casino games and sometimes even a sportsbook. It’s important to find an online casino with loads of game variety and the promise of new games added frequently if you don’t want a stagnant gaming journey. At most of the leading legal casinos, you will have the option to try some of their online slot games in free-play mode.
4. Interface & Mobile Apps
The biggest online casinos know that players are no longer just interested in the pure gameplay. Gamblers crave constant entertainment and visual stimulation. This is why the top-rated legal online casinos put a lot of work into the design of their interface to make it lively and engaging. The safe and legal online casinos will always offer a superb welcome bonus and come with a user-friendly interface. Without the latter, your casino experience will only lead to dismay.
Nowadays most of the reputable online casinos also have a mobile app available that can be downloaded directly from your iOS or Android App Store. While the casino interface has been optimized to run smoothly on your mobile browser thanks to HTML5 coding, the mobile apps generally offer additional benefits and sometimes access to exclusive games.
5. Bonuses & Loyalty Rewards
Every online casino will offer you bonuses and promotions depending on your region and the legalities thereof. The bonus rewards always start with a big welcome bonus which can include free spins, a match bonus and sometimes a no deposit bonus upon registration. Don’t be blinded by the welcome offer, head to the rewards or promotional section of the casino and take a browse through their regular bonus offering. Here you’ll be able to quickly decide if the long term rewards are something you’ll enjoy or rather want to skip over. Not every online casino offers great promotions once the welcome bonus has been claimed. Find a casino that offers a good variety of Free Spins, Match Bonuses, Cashbacks and Seasonal Rewards.
Also, check to see if the casino has a loyalty program in place for regular players. If you plan on becoming a member you want to know that your daily gameplay will reap rewards at the end of the day. The top legal online casinos often have superb VIP or loyalty programs offering great benefits to loyal players.
6. Withdrawal Terms
Always make time to read through the bonus T&C’s and more importantly the withdrawal terms on these offers. This is one that many players try to avoid but it’s a vital step in checking to see the legitimacy and safety of an online casino. Apart from that, it can also provide you with great insight into whether or not you will have a pleasurable or distasteful gaming experience at the casino.
At first glance, a bonus or promotion might look flashy and amazing but many casinos will have strict rules in place regarding the minimum withdrawals allowed from your account. The good online casinos will offer small minimum withdrawal limits of $10. If a casino has a minimum withdrawal of $100 or higher it should rather be avoided. Withdrawal limits that are too high will keep you from withdrawing your funds and ultimately ruin your entire gaming experience at the casino.
