New players guide: how to get started with online casino games
The online gambling world is a vast one with many platforms you can join, a myriad of games you can try, and plenty of other choices you can make to have the experience you have always wanted. Our goal is to help guide new players in the United States towards finding the perfect gaming site for their wishes. Also, we provide you with all the information you need to enjoy a safe and fun experience on any platform you pick!
How to choose the right online casino
Everything you need to know before gambling
Ways to gamble responsibly
How to choose the right online casino
With the thousands of online casinos available on the United States’s gambling market and new ones being launched every day, you may have difficulty choosing one, especially if you are new to this. There are many aspects to be taken into consideration when making your choice.
License
Make sure you only pick fully licensed and regulated gaming websites. These have been put through various tests and audits from third-parties and have proven that they can offer a safe and fair environment for all United States players. Always look for the United States Gambling Commission license, but keep in mind that there are also other trustworthy licensing authorities such as Malta Gaming Association.
Tips: USGC and MGA are the most stringent and reliable licensing authorities. Go for casinos that have at least one of these!
Terms and Conditions
All casinos have Terms and Conditions, Promotion Rules, and Privacy Policy, which contain quite similar information. However, it is essential to check these out before you decide to sign up on a platform. Read everything carefully and see if they are transparent and if you agree to their rules and requirements, and only after that you should go ahead and create an account.
Payment methods
Take a look at the payment methods available for you to use and choose what best suits your needs. It is always better to go for a platform with many banking options, as you may, later on, decide to switch from one to the other.
The most popular and trustworthy ones include Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Trustly, ecoPayz, Skrill, and Neteller. Some online casinos even offer cryptocurrency options if you prefer to use those.
Tips: For faster payments, use e-wallets instead of Visa, Mastercard, or Maestro. These may take 3 to 7 business days to complete as the bank has to verify and approve the payment beforehand.
Important: Some casinos will only allow you to cash out using the option you have deposited with due to security reasons. Therefore, you should also think about the withdrawal when you make your choice for the deposit. In case the chosen method is not available for cashouts, your only alternative will be Wire Transfer. However, some casinos may be open to discuss other options with you if you contact customer support.
Payment processing timeframes
While deposits usually take the same regardless of the payment method used, five to ten minutes, withdrawals are different. It may take a couple of minutes, hours, or even a couple of days for your money to reach your bank account, depending on the cashout method you have chosen.
Be aware: The cashout time is the sum between the time required for the casino to process and allow your payment and the time the banking method processes the payment.
Deposit and cashout limits
Deposits usually only come with a minimum limit, which can range from 1 Pound to 50 Pounds. Cashouts, on the other hand, also come with a maximum limit, which varies from one casino to another. The higher the maximum cashout allowed is, the faster you will get your winnings.
Be aware: If you choose a casino with a low cashout limit, your winnings will be paid in increments set by the casino. Also, if you request to withdraw a big sum, which also differs from one casino to another, additional verifications will be performed by the casino team! This may significantly slow down the entire cashout time.
Game collection and software providers
Having a variety of games to play is always great because it allows you to have a fun and pleasant experience each time you log in. Pick casinos that collaborate with many software providers and continuously update their game collection with new titles!
Also, make sure you can also find Live Casino and table games. Some even offer in-house games. These are unique titles developed by the casino’s own team. As they cannot be found on any other platform, they may be a nice thing to try.
Tips: Choose games with a higher RTP (Return to Player) rate!
VIP Program
When you choose a new gambling platform, it is best if you go for one that can be exciting for a long enough period of time that you can become a loyal customer. This is great because you can start benefitting from the VIP program or Loyalty Scheme once you are a loyal customer. Check it out before you sign up and make sure it offers things you would enjoy, be it promotions or real-life prizes.
Tips: Choose casinos with a game-like VIP program! They are more fun and a lot more rewarding than the classic comp points system many casinos still offer.
Promotions and Tournaments
Promotions, wager races, and tournaments are crucial to keep you interested. Promotions are also beneficial, especially if you are a new player, as they can help you extend your playtime and make the most out of the games you try.
Tournaments and races cater to the more competitive players and if you are one of them, take a look at what the platform has to offer in this sense. If they have recurring contests and tournaments, it may be the right one for you.
Be aware: You have to meet certain conditions to claim a promotion and also to cash out winnings from it. Check those before claiming!
Customer support
All online casinos offer customer support, but the quality and communication ways may differ. Some only offer email assistance, which may turn out to be slow. Therefore, you should look for online casinos with Live Chat and Phone options for you to use. Via these communication ways, you are more likely to receive a swift answer.
Mobile availability
If you are a person who spends most of their time using a mobile device, maybe a mobile online casino would be a perfect choice. Nowadays, most online gaming sites are also available on mobile browsers, but some decided to cater to their mobile-loving customers and created special apps.
If you gamble more using your smartphone or tablet, choosing a casino with its own app should make it a lot easier for you.
Tips: Some casinos have different apps for their slot machines and Live Casino or table games, so make sure you get the one you need or get both!
Everything you need to know before gambling
Now that you know how to pick the best and safest platform, you may be eager to start playing. Before you do that, here are some things to keep in mind:
- Always use correct information when signing up – it is imperative to only use accurate information when creating your account. Otherwise, your account might be suspended. Also, update the customer support team with every change to your information, such as a new address or phone number;
- Choose a fast cashout method – when possible, select a quicker cashout method such as an e-wallet. This allows you to get your winnings easier, faster, and in a completely safe way;
- Claim a promotion – when you first start playing on a new platform, it is best to claim a new players’ deal. These multiply your funds and allow you to play more and enjoy more of your time on the casino website. If there is a no deposit deal available, that is even better, as they allow you to try the gaming site without having to spend any of your own money;
- Always use correct information when signing up – it is imperative to only use accurate information when creating your account. Otherwise, your account might be suspended. Also, update the customer support team with every change to your information, such as a new address or phone number;
- Choose a fast cashout method – when possible, select a quicker cashout method such as an e-wallet. This allows you to get your winnings easier, faster, and in a completely safe way;
- Claim a promotion – when you first start playing on a new platform, it is best to claim a new players’ deal. These multiply your funds and allow you to play more and enjoy more of your time on the casino website. If there is a no deposit deal available, that is even better, as they allow you to try the gaming site without having to spend any of your own money;
By following this simple guide, you will have a fun and exciting experience and the opportunity to learn how everything works without risking much or any of your hard-earned money. Once you feel confident enough, you can start developing your own playing strategy, but for your first steps in the world of online gambling, it is better if you start slow.
Ways to gamble responsibly
Both new and experienced players should always pay attention to their gambling habits and keep it as a leisure activity. Gambling can become addictive and, even if not everyone develops a gambling problem, some people are more prone to it than others. Therefore, it is utterly essential for every player to make sure they are not going overboard.
Here are some simple steps to follow to make sure gambling is always fun for you, and it has no chances to become an issue:
- Always set a budget and do NOT go over it – to set a budget, simply think about the amount of money you would be comfortable losing. If you can lose 50 Pounds without any repercussions on the quality of your life, that should be your budget. No matter how fun your gambling session is or how lucky you think you can get, NEVER go over that budget. Just leave it for another day;
- Use the casino’s pop-up alerts – online casinos offer ways for players to keep track of the time spent playing. You can do this by setting pop-up alerts after a specific time. Once the warning appears on the screen, it is time for you to take a break;
- Keep track of your money – casinos also offer you a history of your transactions, and it is crucial for you to keep track of them. This allows you to stay within your budget or decide if maybe one day is not as lucky as you thought and you take a break before even reaching your budget limit;
- Only gamble for fun – unless you are a professional player or plan to become one, gambling should only be done for fun. This includes paying attention to your own emotions and never gamble out of anger or other negative feelings. This may lead to compulsive gambling;
- Never chase losses – gambling is based on luck, and some days are better than others. If you have been on a losing streak, it is not worth chasing your losses. You might end up losing more. That is why it is important to become comfortable with the idea that losses are just as common as wins are, so sometimes you might lose some money. Betting more to get that money back is never a good idea, and it almost never works.
If you follow these simple rules, you will be able to enjoy gambling as the fun activity that it is for a long time. If you, however, at some point notice that you start to pay more attention to gambling than other important areas of your life, it is time for you to take a break from it and maybe even get in touch with a professional for help.