Tips on Choosing an Online Casino in 2021

This year has seen a record number of online casino platforms arriving on the scene, with a mixture of well-known land-based casino operators expanding into cyberspace and all-new casinos born exclusively into the internet age.

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Choice is never a bad thing, and it places all the power in the hands of the consumer. However, too much choice can become overwhelming. If you're not sure where to begin your search for the perfect casino platform, here are some simple tips to help you along the way.

Check the credentials

First and foremost, you need to be confident you are dealing with a genuine casino and not a scam artist. Even the slightest doubt here, and you walk away. The problem is there are so many new platforms appearing, it is relatively easy to set up a fake one, gather deposits from some unwary individuals and disappear never to be seen again.

The key thing to look at is the licence. Every genuine casino is licensed by at least one regulatory body, for example the UK Gaming Commission or the Malta Gaming Authority. They usually want visitors to see their licensing information, so you shouldn't have to look far to find it – if you do, that in itself should set alarm bells ringing.

Assess the bonuses

It's a buyer's market, and even the big-name casino brands are quite desperate to get new players onboard. This means there are some fantastic promotions out there, and if you know how to assess them and choose wisely, you can set yourself up to play for real money without having to lay down any of your own.

The thing about bonuses is that some come with more strings attached than others, so it is worth getting some impartial advice here. Sites like NoDepositKings have made a name for themselves helping players play for free with no deposit bonuses since 2010, so it's well worth looking through their list of the latest promotions. That way, you are less likely to be seduced into signing up for a seemingly generous promotion that turns out to be all but unattainable.

Explore the support

It's often said that there's really very little difference between a casino in town and one in cyberspace these days. We won't dwell too much on that contention right now, but one difference that can be manifest concerns customer service levels.

Now, in a land-based casino, you can always get hold of either a host on the casino floor or someone at the reception desk if you need assistance. In a good online casino, help will be just as close to hand, via either a telephone call or even better, through instant chat. Some platforms, however, offer nothing more than an email address. It means you might have to wait days for a response, and it speaks volumes about the platform's attitude to customer service.

Compare payment methods

This is an area in which online casinos can seriously outscore their land-based competitors. Traditionally, casinos have been very cash focused. Sure, you play the games using chips or a card, but if you are lucky enough to win big, you'll still be handed a bundle of notes when you go to cash out. Usually, it's right in front of dozens of other patrons, too, so it's less than ideal when you head out of the door in the small hours of the morning.

Online casinos are both safer and more convenient in this regard. Most offer a choice of payment mechanisms for getting funds to and from your betting account. Just take some time to look at the timescales and at what, if any, fees or commissions are payable when you use your method of choice.

The games!

Last, but definitely not least, let's not lose sight of why you are visiting the casino in the first place. There is such a vast choice available these days when it comes to games, there is no reason to compromise in this area.

Sure, there are some games that will be available almost everywhere, such as basic blackjack or popular slot games like Starburst and Book of Dead. But some platforms place more emphasis on slots while others bring a wider choice of card games and still more are geared towards lottery-style games like Keno. Make sure you choose one that is fully aligned to your gaming interests.

Jessica Tanner

Update 20 April 2021