4 things to consider when choosing an online casino
Online casino gaming is experiencing a golden age at the moment, and like any other golden age, it results in a surge of new providers looking to get a slice of the action. Operating such an enormous enterprise in a fast-moving global sector is a daunting task, especially for new providers who might not have the same reputation as those who have been around for a long time.
#1 – Site aesthetics and ease of use
Although some analysts and industry experts will argue about niche elements of a site until they’re blue in the face, if you’re looking to play at an online casino, ease of use and aesthetics can be the elements that seal the deal.
Providers must have a unique touch and angle that helps them stand out, or they could risk getting lost in the market – especially one so competitive. Operators with a slick and well-structured website can grab the attention of new customers seeking out their service. Often, when an online casino has taken care to ensure that the useability, look and feel of their website is top drawer, it’s a strong signal of quality. Here are some practical examples of aesthetics and ease of use:
- Solid customer service with quality, multi-faceted options.
- Quick loading times of websites, apps and games.
- Consistent branding and design language.
- Wide selection of games.
All of the above are features of the best online casinos and are some of the main attributes gamers and casino experts look for when deciding on which casino they should play at. However, while aesthetics play a crucial role, it’s also vital to not solely make your decisions on this alone. While these factors can be useful to whittle down the vast number of options available, you should also take care to look deeper before playing.
#2 – Is it secure?
This may sound vague, but it ties into something we discussed in the previous section. Site security ranges from firewall strength and encryption sophistication to having a track record of keeping data secure.
Ultimately, one critical thing we look for when choosing an online casino is whether it can keep personal information safe. Online casinos hold everything about us: our personal information, card numbers and often photo identity documents so they can identify us and verify withdrawals from the site.
While Sony has shown that a data breach doesn’t always spell the end for a company, it can impact its overall reputation and hamper future growth. This issue is more pressing in casino gaming, as hundreds of rival operators are willing to step in and offer their services. Fortunately, casino breaches are rare, with many companies opting to use 128-bit encryption, which is phenomenally secure. Sites that use this will often detail it in their FAQs or the info section on their page, and it’s certainly something to look out for.
#3 – Licensing and legislation
Another essential feature is that an online casino has the correct licensing. Although providers in the UK can be based overseas, they must register with the UK Gambling Commission to ensure they adhere to local legislation.
It’s a good idea to keep updated withgambling news, as there can be national and international changes to licensing and legislation. However, a quick internet search will often provide all the required information to explore whether a site is legit and has the correct licensing and legislation to operate in your jurisdiction.
#4 – Quality of promotions and bonuses
This isn’t just applied to new customers – however, they are often the target for welcome bonuses and promotions. When discussing the quality of bonuses, we’re looking at the broader picture as it stretches into other business areas. Here are some of the considerations when choosing an online casino based on the quality of any particular bonus:
- Does it only apply to one specific payment method?
- How long until the promotion expires?
- What’s the maximum cashout?
- Is the bonus specific to one game? Is it inflexible?
Any bonus that seems cluttered with jargon or doesn’t offer any sort of cashout or game flexibility may suggest the platform has hastily thrown it together, or they might be disinterested in keeping customers on board for a considerable time. While this might sound negative, some providers fall into this bracket, so be aware of what to look for.
Final thoughts
Finding the right online casino requires experience and knowledge, so the first tip for seeking out expert reviews is probably the one we’d say to use first. All of these four tips will stand you in good stead when choosing an online casino.
While we don’t want to downplay the look, feel and aesthetic of a casino site or app, which can ultimately dictate our choice, it’s important to lay the foundations of security, licensing and welcome bonus quality first. By combining these components, you will then operate from a strong footing when it comes to making your choice.