What Should Beginners Look for in Online Casinos?

Contrary to popular belief, looking for a good online casino is easier said than done. There are far too many gambling sites online. And almost all of them promise you a generous bonus if you choose them.

You can't even eliminate gambling sites by looks. A lot of them have beautiful, well-organized sites. So, how do you choose a top casino online? What should you look for as a beginner?

Safe for US Players

Although there are hundreds of online casinos, not all of them accept American citizens. Some of them target the European market. Others only work in the UK. If you want to have a wonderful iGaming experience, select casinos that target Americans.

You have two options. You can select a casino licensed in your state. Alternatively, you can join an offshore casino. Only a handful of states license online casinos: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Delaware, and West Virginia, to name a few.

If you live in a state with licensed online casinos, feel free to select a local casino. Otherwise, look for trustworthy foreign operators that accept US citizens. The emphasis on accepting American players is to save you from frustrations.

Picture this. You join the first casino you come across online. Next, you register an account and complete your deposit. You might even get lucky and receive a bonus. But since the casino does not accept Americans, you may never cash out any money you win at the site.

Licensed and Trustworthy

Online gambling is a regulated industry. Every genuine operator requires a license from a respected regulator. This provides proof that a site is genuine. Legitimacy aside, a license is a mark of trust.

You see, a casino must create a secure website before it gets a license in jurisdictions like Malta, the UK, and Curacao. Also, it needs to work with trusted payment companies and software providers.

Some licensed casinos also take the extra measure of inviting independent auditors to verify their games. You've probably seen operators with seals of trust from eCOGRA, GLI, and iTechLab–these certificates add proof that a site is trustworthy.

Licenses and certificates aside, consider a casino's online reputation. Read reviews from experts and past customers. Discover what they say about a casino's payout speed, customer service, and bonus policies. Choose a top-rated operator.

Games and Software Providers

You probably have an idea of the games you plan to play once you find an ideal online casino. Maybe you want to play Big Bass Bonanza and Money Train 3 slots. Perhaps you want to participate in an online Texas Hold'em tournament.

Find a casino with your favorite slots. Hint: find out the software providers behind your favorite games. For example, Big Bass Bonanza comes from Pragmatic Play. This means you need to find an operator with games from the aforementioned developer.

The best online casinos support hundreds of games from tons of software providers. Look for these developers for the best games–NetEnt, Play'n GO, Microgaming, No Limit City, Blueprint Gaming, BTG, and Evolution.

Evolution Gaming provides live dealer games like poker, blackjack, roulette, and baccarat. Look for this company if you like to play table games. Also, consider upcoming developers like Ash Gaming and EGT Gaming.

If you really have no idea about the best casino games to play, check out online reviews. Try out fan favorites like Starburst, Book of Dead, and Mega Moolah. Importantly, learn how different games work. It will help you determine the best games for you.

Bonuses and Promotions

As we mentioned earlier, bonuses can be enticing. You have $50 to spend and then a casino offers you an extra $50 as a reward. How do you say no to that? You might even get luckier and discover a casino with a 200% or 500% bonus.

While these promotions are inviting, they're all not worth your time. The true measure of a good bonus lies in its bonus policies. As such, never be in a hurry to claim an offer.

Take your time. Compare different bonuses to find the best value for your money. Look at the bonus amount. Check the wager requirements, validity time, and other factors.

Wager requirements come as a multiple of your bonus amount. Let's say you receive a $30 bonus with 30x wager requirements. It means you must spend $900 at the casino before you withdraw your bonus winnings.

With that said, don't select a casino simply because it has a nice welcome bonus. Consider other promotions like reload bonuses, loyalty points, cashback programs, and VIP treats.

Payments and Withdrawal Policies

You want two things in an ideal online casino. It should support your favorite payment company. And it needs to process payouts quickly. If you like to pay using credit/debit cards, you'll have an easy time choosing the right casino.

Nearly every gambling site accepts Visa and MasterCard. However, they differ in the e-wallets they support. Some accept PayPal but not Google Pay. Others work with Skrill and Neteller but not EcoPayz. Select a site with your preferred payment options.

Don't worry if you prefer a unique payment method like crypto. There's always a casino for your banking company. This also includes bank transfers, e-Checks, and Pay by Phone.

Consider the supported payment limits–the minimum and maximum you can deposit. Look at the deposit and withdrawal fees. They need to be minimal or non-existent. As stated, you want a casino with quick withdrawals.

Mobile Support and Customer Service

Let's face it. Mobile is the future of online gaming. More than 60% of all gamers use their smartphones. You're probably using a smartphone to read this article. And maybe you plan to use it to play slots.

In light of that information, it's essential to select a mobile-friendly casino. If you like to use apps, choose a casino with a native app. Otherwise; it's not a compulsory feature in this age of mobile web apps.

On the other hand, look at a casino's customer service. Does it have communication channels? Do they work reliably? Prioritize operators with 24/7 live chatting–you can get assistance any time of the day.