So, you’re ready to take the plunge and find your new online gaming destination. There’s a – whole – lot of choice out there, so be prepared! There are thousands of online casinos to choose from and whittling them down can be laborious. Thankfully, I’ve reviewed hundreds (or maybe even thousands…gosh) of online casinos, so I’ve got the process down to a fine art. These are my top tips!
What’s Your Favorite Type of Game?
The – very first thing – to look for when finding your new favorite online casino is the sort of games that are on offer. Nowadays the majority of online casinos focus on slots, live dealer games, or (often) both. However, some also offer various different types like bingo, lottery games, poker, and plenty more! Let’s take a look at the options that are available and what to look for.
Slots?
If you’re a slots player then you’re in luck, the vast majority of game catalogues – on the vast majority of sites – are going to be full of slot games. Look for catalogues with at least 1,000 slots, or narrow things down by deciding on the type of slot that you like instead. Is it book slots, Hold & Win, Megaways, progressive slots, fishing slots, the list goes on and on? Once you’ve looked into this, see if it’s possible to filter by type. Often it is and this will save you a – whole – lot of time scrolling through the slot catalogue to pick out your favorites!
The other way is to think about your favorite providers. Are you a Norse mythology buff who can’t get enough of Yggdrasil games? Perhaps you prefer the seemingly endless catalogue of Games Global. Maybe you enjoy the huge progressive jackpots from Relax Gaming or Microgaming. Whatever you decide, take a look and see how much of the catalogue is made up of your favorite providers.
Live Dealer?
The next game that you’ll see plenty of are live dealer games. These games tend to come from one or two studios: Evolution or Pragmatic Play. Evolution’s Game Show style games are generally considered to be the best in the business, but Pragmatic Play has some exciting variants of roulette and blackjack that shouldn’t be discounted. Take a look at how many live dealer games are in the catalogue (100 or so is a good start) and make sure some of them are by big studios that are well reviewed.
Table Games?
Unfortunately, RNG table games tend to get a backseat at modern online casinos. However, there are still some casinos that boast more than a hundred of this type of game. Take a look through their catalogue and see if you can find any that tickle your fancy. A good selection of roulette and blackjack games is usually possible, with baccarat coming in a close third. It’s getting harder to find poker games, but definitely not impossible!
What Payment Methods Do You Prefer?
There’s never been more choice when it comes to payment methods. Is it a good or bad thing? Who’s to say! Either way, almost – all sites – will offer payments via Visa or Mastercard, many offer e-wallets too. Some people like the ability to play in an Ethereum casino or a bitcoin casino, thanks to the speedier payouts and the lower transaction fees. Others prefer mobile first payment options – as frankly, most of us now play on mobile anyway! Consider if you’ll be able to pay in your preferred way and if there are any downsides to doing it (like long wait times or transaction/conversion fees).
How’s Your Betting Budget?
The next thing to consider is your betting budget. If it’s big, then you’re going to want to look for casinos that offer large deposit and withdrawal limits, and vice versa if it’s a little smaller. Responsible gambling tools such as deposit and loss limits can also be a really helpful way of budgeting. Similarly, you’ll want to check out how the bonuses work! This brings us onto our next point…
Do You Want Bonuses?
Some players literally – will not – sign up to a site unless there’s a bonus, while others prefer simply not to use them: not at all. Whichever camp you’re in is up to you, but if you are a bonus hunter then you’d better choose a casino that offers some bonuses! Some pride themselves on having a lucrative loyalty program, others offer a whacking great welcome bonus, some sites offer itty bitty bonuses every day of the week. You might even prefer sites that gamify the whole experience by offering regular tournaments. Do a little research and find one to suit you!
Are You a Frequent Player?
The next thing to keep in mind is how often you play – particularly if you’re claiming any bonuses! Almost all bonuses come with expiry dates and wagering requirements. If you don’t fulfill the wagering requirement before the time is up, then (bad news) your bonus is lost – forever. With this in mind, if you’re not a frequent player then consider whether you’ll have adequate time to fulfil the requirements – before your time limit is up. If not, just look for a smaller bonus! Or consider switching to a site with more favorable T&Cs.