Selecting an Online Gaming Home – a Detailed Guide

Online gambling is exploding in popularity. The latest estimates claim that the global market will reach a size of $98 billion by 2025. Investments in the development of software and crypto technologies for online casinos are soaring as new entities enter this playground. Thus, as this sphere continuously expands, so do the number of gambling sites on the internet. That includes UKGC-regulated platforms and non GamStop casinos.

The text below aims to educate parties interested in playing games of chance at gambling sites not on GamStop and UK online casinos. The online gambling experience contains many easily avoidable pitfalls. So, those considering getting into this pastime should read on to learn what they have to look out for when engaging in this activity.

Picture 1 of Selecting an Online Gaming Home – a Detailed Guide Picture 1 of Selecting an Online Gaming Home – a Detailed Guide

Online Casino Regulation & Security

There are a few credible regulators in the interactive gaming space. The UK Gambling Commission has a reputation as being Europe's most stringent overseer. With the Swedish Gambling Authority coming in second in this department. However, these are country-specific bodies that only monitor operators that offer gambling services to their residents. Operators with a license from these organizations can only provide casino-style entertainment to people within their borders. The Malta Gaming Authority, Panama's Gaming Control Board, and the four Curacao master license holders supply licenses that let operators offer gaming services from their soil internationally. These regulators oversee casinos not on GameStop. Most of them have been around longer than the UKGC and are as credible but not as strict.

Any online casino that has a valid gaming license features advanced SSL encryption that protects player data. That is data ciphering technology that covers all information shared between an operator and its players. Gambling sites most commonly implement SSL encryption of the 128-bit variety, but some go the extra step and incorporate the more powerful 256-bit version.

For an online casino to be trustworthy, it should follow an international data protection directive and have a detailed privacy policy page that outlines its information-sharing practices.

Transaction Options

Everyone that has had so much as a fleeting interest in spinning digital reels knows that online payments can make or break the gaming experience. Therefore, a platform must allow the use of multiple transfer options, including e-wallets, credit/debit cards, prepaid methods, and cryptocurrencies. Since April of 2020, the UKGC no longer allows UKGC-licensed sites to accept credit cards for deposits and withdrawals. However, casinos not on GamStop still feature this option.

That said, it is not enough for only many payment methods to be at a player's disposal. These also should feature decent terms. At most online casinos, credit/debit card withdrawals take up to three banking days to complete. Yet, this is not a constant but a rule of thumb. There are sites where this limit stretches up to five or seven working days. Thus, it is essential to check the banking page and cashier tab of a given casino before depositing. Usually, crypto and e-wallet transactions are the quickest way for players to get united with their funds, as they can facilitate transfers within a 24-hour window.

Promotional Deals

Bonuses are the backbone of online gambling marketing. Per polls, they are the most crucial factor why players choose one gaming platform from an ocean of fierce competitors. Welcome or registration deals are the bait that operators use to grow their user bases. So, every player should look to snag a deal that will get him a mix of a deposit match paired with some free spins. Reload bonuses, cashback promos, and leaderboard challenges are also things to look out for when considering a platform.

Loyalty schemes are the hottest marketing ploy going today. Such programs have not escaped the gaming industry, as virtually every operator implements them. They provide perks based on a user's betting activity. The more money a player wagers on a gambling site, the better benefits he will get. Everyone must look for loyalty schemes that they can enter immediately upon sign-up. Such systems provide a speedy acquisition of perks. They may not be sizeable ones, but they are still something.

Game Library

Having access to a robust game selection is what differentiates mediocre online casinos from quality ones. Casino-style gambling is about playing games en route to riches. Therefore, having too much product diversity in this department is never a bad thing.

Slots pretty much rule all gaming lobbies. Some of the top providers in this genre include NetEnt, Microgaming, Nolimit City, Red Tiger, Quickspin, and Betsoft. Evolution Gaming dominates the live dealer section of the industry, with only Pragmatic Play Live offering up some resistance. Video poker, keno, bingo, and RNG tables should also be on hand at top-of-the-line platforms. Those sites must work with an independent testing agency such as TST, iTech Labs, or eCOGRA. That ensures players that their products have gone through audits that certify that they are 100% fair.

Customer Aid & Responsible Gambling

Every online casino, a gambling site not on GameStop or a UK one, should have 24/7 live support. Sadly, many only provide live help during standard working hours. Platforms that have attained approval to offer their services globally are far more likely to implement 24/7 support because they cater to players from all corners. Having an extensive FAQ page is also a plus, and email contact is a given.

Players should not expect phone support from not-established sites that do not have a UKGC license. Those that have UKGC approval may feature it, and they must also participate in the self-exclusion network called GamStop. It ties in all UK casinos in a single database that prevents players from signing up at a UK online casino if they have an activated self-exclusion at another one. UK players that have developed a compulsion toward betting on the internet should get in touch with a non-profit organization like GamCare or BeGambleAware.

Non GamStop Casinos vs. UK Gambling Sites

Due to problem gambling entering UK's public discourse, the UKGC decided to implement new operator measures. They aim to make the online slot experience less intense, curbing the proliferation of gambling addiction in Britain. Many have frowned upon this decision and have decided to seek out casino and bingo sites not on GamStop like those offered on non-gamstop-casinos.com.

As mentioned, these are gaming platforms that have international licenses. Non GamStop casinos for UK players differ from UKGC ones in that they have no wait times between slot spins, they still allow auto-play, and they accept a wide variety of payment methods. Non GamStop casinos allow many altcoins, and they have access to gaming products unavailable in the UK market. Other than that, there is not too much difference between these two categories of gambling platforms. Both are safe options for players of any sized bankroll or experience level.

Final Piece of Advice

Finding an excellent online casino is somewhat of a strenuous process. The best course of action is to narrow down the selection to three or four sites. Then evaluate them based on the criteria explained above. The platform that ranks best should be the safest and best option. Operator research is also essential.

It is paramount that players always bet responsibly and never overstep their means. Proper bankroll management is a crucial element of every gambling journey.