The advent of the online casino has created an option for gamblers like never before. No longer do players have to spend time and money to travel to a land-based casino. Instead, the games and bonuses of a casino can be enjoyed from one’s home. This collection of internet gambling does not come without some immediate obstacles. It may be difficult to decide exactly where you would like play, but you can make an informed decision by understanding the key aspects of what make the best online casino.
Best Online Casino Bonus Offers
If you have spent any time visiting online casinos in the UK, Canada, or elsewhere, you have undoubtedly come across a tempting bonus offer. Naturally, these offers are created to drive player traffic toward an online casino with the promise of free cash or increased value on a deposit. However, some online casinos have tricky terms and conditions attached to bonus offers that can make things difficult. Players should take the time and understand exactly what is required for claiming a bonus.
Welcome Bonuses and Hidden Terms
The welcome bonus is the most popular promotion from any best online casino, and it should be. To make a good first impression, the offer is specifically designed to look fancy and draw in new players who have not yet set up an account. The typical welcome bonus consists of a deposit match that is many times 100 percent of the value up to a certain amount. Other perks from the casino may include free spins on slots or additional percentage matches. This appealing offer loses its luster when the actual terms are reviewed. Many times, the casino will require the player to wager as much as 50 times the original amount before a bonus can be withdrawn.
Another obstacle is the timeframe in which the player can fulfill these terms. Online casinos have been known to only give players a week to do so. A welcome bonus might not be so welcoming after all, and players should fully understand terms before depositing. Fortunately, regulatory agencies have a begun a crackdown on casino operators over misleading bonuses, so the structure of offers may soon change for the better.
Stick With Online Casino Loyalty Programs
Any popular online casino Canada or UK players flock to likely has a loyalty program in place, and this feature may be the best value. If you consider yourself a regular player, you can quickly earn rewards from an online casino with not as much fine print as a welcome bonus. Many loyalty programs work through comp points. You can earn points simply by playing casino games with real money bets. While the contributing value towards points depends on the game, you will effectively get rewarded directly based on how much you play.
While some programs work through straight points, others offer a system that is tiered. Typically, every player is entered into the first tier of a loyalty program. The true benefit comes from being a frequent player and making a considerable amount of bets with real money. It can be quite difficult to reach the highest tier of a loyalty program, but it is worth it. Players at the top level are given high roller treatment. The perks include vacation packages, discounts, and much faster withdrawal times. While welcome bonuses are a tempting option, the loyalty programs at the best casinos online seem to have real lasting value.
Best Online Casino Security
Any best casino online is also a licensed and regulated gaming site. While the security and fairness of an online casino might be an afterthought, it is extremely important that players check for the right standards. Being knowledgeable of an online casino reputation ahead of time can prevent negative outcomes like delayed payments or loss of funds.
Online Casino Regulating Bodies
There are numerous agencies that handle licensing and regulation for online casinos, depending on the region. Players who visit UK casinos online will more than likely be familiar with the UK Gambling Commission. Any online casino activity that happens in Britain or in the United Kingdom is subject to regulations by the Gambling Commission. This agency is well-known across the globe for its strict measures in protecting players and ensuring that casino operators are functioning according to the law. The UK Gambling Commission does not mess around, either. They have regularly been in the news for hitting popular gaming sites with big fines.
For international players, the Malta Gaming Authority handles the regulatory process for online casinos and can also grant licenses for operation. The Malta Gaming Authority strives to combine regulation and practice with addressing the needs of commercial online casino operators. This agency has successfully evolved throughout the years to keep up with the advent of the internet gaming format. As a result, many online casinos consider the Malta Gaming Authority to be the premier facilitator for remote gambling.
The country of Canada has fairly tight restrictions regarding the operation of Canadian online casinos. Much of the internet gambling that is available is controlled by agencies such as the OLG and the BCLC. In the private sector, the most popular regulating agency for offshore online casino activity is the Kahnawake Gaming Commission. Headquartered on a Native American reservation, the commission is able to provide licensing for remote online casinos outside the boundaries of normal provincial law.
Safety and Fair Play
Any player who wishes to wager real money at an online casino will be required to provide personal information and payment data. These transfers can be particularly dangerous over the internet, as there are always threats trying to steal information. The risk of fraud makes it necessary for any best online casino to provide encryption. At the present time, the industry standard is secure socket layer technology using 128-bit encryption. This safeguard protects the player’s payment details and other sensitive info as it passes through the internet.
In a similar fashion, it is common for the best casinos online to offer trusted gaming content with security measures in place. Only games from top developers are hosted at the online casino through remote servers. The server’s location matters as it can prevent tampering or manipulation of any casino game, as well as outright fraud on an operator’s behalf. The best online casino game will also rely on random number generation to determine the outcome of a slot spin or a hand in blackjack. RNG is vital in keeping things fair for the player while establishing a house edge. Most of the top online casinos will also provide transparent information about each game’s payout percentage.
Responsible gambling is a must for the health of the player, and the best casino online must take action to prevent or treat issues that arise from playing too much. Top casinos will provide the player with tools for battling excessive gambling, such as a cooldown period on an account or a deposit limit. The online casino may also partner with various non-profit organizations that specialize in getting help for players who have developed a problem. Not only are these practices helpful to the player, they are typically required by regulatory agencies and will therefore be included at the best online casino.
The Best Casino Sites Are Also Available on Mobile
The creation of the online casino was a major step in itself, allowing players to move away from the traditional brick-and-mortar venues and play from home. Now, the technology has progressed further with the inclusion of mobile casinos that can be accessed through a smartphone or tablet. There are different ways to play at an online casino with a mobile device, depending on the player’s preference.
Mobile Online Casino Instant Play Versions
Online casinos offer their content through the download of software, but many also allow the player to instantly access games over the internet. The flash instant play version of the best casinos online is convenient and also an ideal platform for playing on a mobile device. Assuming the player’s tablet or smartphone is modern, an online casino can easily be visited from the device if it has a web-based format available. In addition, the instant play casino will work across all software platforms like Android or iOS.
Designated Online Casino Mobile Apps
The other option for playing on mobile would be to download the designated app created by the best online casino. This format works just like any other app on a phone or tablet. It is downloaded onto the operating system and gives players casino games with real money bets as long as an internet connection is established. However, apps for mobile may sometimes come with downsides. It is not uncommon to see a limited game selection through a designated online casino mobile app. The bright side is that players may be entitled to exclusive offers when visiting an online casino with a mobile device.