It’s no secret that the online casino industry is booming. Just last year the global industry was said be worth a massive $46 billion while experts predict that this figure will grow to a staggering $94 billion by 2024. And with such incredible growth comes a plethora of choices for the average punter. In fact, it seems that there’s a seemingly endless list of online casino platforms on the market so picking the right one for you can seem like a somewhat daunting task. Luckily for you, picking a trustworthy and reliable site isn’t all that difficult – you just need to know what to look out for.
Look for names you know
Okay, so this might seem like an obvious one, but it’s worth stating anyway. Well-known brands aren’t necessarily perfect, but for new players, they’re a safer bet. These are the names that you see on TV commercials and in search engine results. They’re the names that sponsor major sporting teams and contests throughout the world.
So why choose these names? There are two reasons. The first is that these major providers have significant budgets to invest in security and the latest technology. This means that you can rest assured that not only will you enjoy a better gaming experience but your personal and financial information will be well-guarded.
Secondly, the more popular an online casino, the more players it will have in its database. And more players means bigger progressive jackpots, more seats at table games, and more live tournaments to enter.
Check customer reviews
What we’re talking about here is reviews that you’ll find on trusted third-party forums and review sites. Take a look at what people are saying about their experience with a provider and how the casino treats both their first-time and loyal customers. You can even check out reviews of your chosen casino on comparison sites as these will often list the pros and cons paying close attention to customer service.
Take betting giant Paddy Power for example. Their online casino is fast becoming one of the most popular options in the UK and according to comparison site Oddschecker, they offer incredible customer service to their casino users.
But remember that no matter how great a provider is, there will always be a few negative reviews. As with any product or service, these are to be expected. A few complaints are fine, but if a particular issue keeps cropping up in reviews, then you may want to dig a little deeper.
Read the small print
No one reads the small print, but when it comes to matters of money, you absolutely should. Things to watch out for include withdrawal times and additional charges. Now, an online casino will never be able to pay you’re your winnings instantly and that’s perfectly fine. However, while the majority of withdrawals will take somewhere in the region of 5 working days to hit your account, they shouldn’t take much longer than that. The withdrawal is usually managed by the payment processor and so if a casino mentions a 30-day withdrawal timeframe, you should question it.
With regards to additional charges, there really shouldn’t be any charges that aren’t clearly stated on the website. If there are charges or fees buried in the small print, you should again question why this has been hidden away.
Make sure it’s licensed
The chances are that if you choose a household name as your online casino, they will be properly licensed. However, it doesn’t hurt to double check. The licensing should be clearly visible in the footer on the homepage website. It should state which authority has issued the license and where the provider is licensed to operate. If you don’t see a license on the homepage, then it’s time to look for another provider.
And that is all there is to it. Of course, it helps to make sure that the casino provides the games you want to play but you will have checked that out in the first place, right? Whatever provider you choose, remember to set yourself a daily or weekly budget and regardless of how much you might win, stick to your budget.