How to avoid an expensive mistake when choosing an online casino
Unless you’ve spent the past few years living in a cave, you’ll have noticed that online casinos have become one of the most high-profile leisure pursuits of the digital age. Online gambling is big business, it’s a market that is currently worth almost $60 billion per year, and it is growing at CAGR of more than 11 percent.
Little wonder, then, that dozens of new online casino and sports betting platforms are appearing every week. It all adds up to plenty of choice for those who want to try their luck with an online wager. But while there are dozens of reputable casino sites out there that provide a great service, there are inevitably some shady operators, too. Here, we offer some guidance on making the right choice and avoiding a potentially expensive mistake.
Check the independent casino reviews
Recommendations count for a lot. If you’ve got friends who are already into online casino gaming, listen to their advice. If not, there are some good review sites out there. This is particularly important for gamblers in countries like India and Australia, where online casinos are prohibited from operating, and gamblers can only choose from offshore providers. Gamble Online (visit website here) provides casino reviews for Australian gamblers, for example.
Read bonus conditions carefully
We’ve all seen the promotions. 200 free spins! $500 bonus! Some of these casinos just seem to be giving money away, but the truth is often a little different when you examine the bonus terms carefully. Huge wagering requirements make it next to impossible to withdraw winnings, while prize caps can mean a big disappointment if you hit the jackpot and think you’ve had a big win. Often the best deals are the ones that don’t look so huge but that have less onerous conditions, so read the small print with care.
Assess the loyalty program
Following on from the above, some casinos focus all their efforts on tempting you into signing up, but lose interest in you after that. The truth is, bonuses are great, but they are soon used up. A good loyalty or VIP scheme can give you real long term benefits such as regular giveaways, exclusive tournaments and so on.
Check for mobile responsiveness
Some gamers assume that well-known casino brands that have been around for years are the most reliable. There’s some logic to that, but the downside is that their software is not always at the cutting edge. 10 years ago, mobile casino was a little like “casino lite” in keeping with the handsets of the time. Today, the best casinos are optimized for mobile first. If, like the majority of online casino players, you’re going to be playing from your smartphone, check the quality of the mobile experience before you sign up.
Investigate customer support
It’s often the case that you only really find out how good customer service is when something goes wrong. However, one thing you can check at the outset is their accessibility. Look for a casino that offers either live chat or telephone access to customer service agents. If all you can see is a contact form or an email address, it might be better to move on and try another platform.
