What you need to know before playing at Online Casinos

Compared to what online gambling was 20 years ago, the situation couldn’t be more different nowadays. You’re no longer forced to play at shady sites or give banking information to someone you don’t trust. Instead, there are thousands of licensed sites, which means you can craft your journey in any way imaginable.

However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t some preparations to be made. If you’re not careful, you can still run into scams or uncomfortable circumstances. To prevent this from ever happening, we whipped up a quick guide. Follow out pointers, think about them, and your first experience playing at online casinos will be a marvellous one. So, let’s jump right in.

Games that are manipulated get busted pretty quick

We’ve all heard the “online casino games are fixed to favour the casino” saying at least once or twice. In all honesty, this was true in the early-to-mid 2000s, when online casinos and software providers weren’t at all regulated. Today, though, it’s impossible for a fixed game to reach the lobby of any half-decent casino. How come?

Well, the supplier has to have every product tested before it hits the market. This is done either by the regulator or by a third-party testing lab. The lab uses various software to simulate the game and analyse its code during this testing process. It’s to ensure that every result is random.

No company that cares about its future would even try to publish something like this. Not only would their license get revoked immediately, but there could also be legal consequences involved. The same goes for the casinos themselves – getting busted just isn’t worth it.

So, if you see a game from a reputable publisher appearing on a big casino, it’s 100% legit. This is because it went through so many checkpoints and analyses. Thus, it’s impossible for any sort of scam or malware to slip through the cracks.

House edge is crucial

While online casino games may not be manipulated, that doesn’t mean they’re fair. In fact, many iconic games we know and love, such as blackjack and roulette, have rules specifically created to favour the house. That’s the way things have been for hundreds of years, and nothing has changed, even in online environments.

Of course, the most important aspect of this topic is a house edge. In the simplest terms possible, it’s a mathematical advantage that the casino has over the player. It’s expressed in percentages, and the lower the number, the higher are the chances of you winning.

House edges are calculated by simulating the gameplay hundreds of thousands or even millions of times. That’s why every time you see a house edge, keep in mind that it refers to how things go in the long run.

Here’s an example – you start playing roulette and win your first five bets. Even though you have a 100% success rate, that doesn’t mean the house edge is lowered. Instead, it’s just an outlier. Over the long run, when the game’s randomness becomes the main factor, the house always ends up winning.

While a lower house edge is always better, that doesn’t mean the game itself is better. Sure, you should always aim to win money at online casinos, but the fun is also important. So, if you like a game, make sure to check out its house edge and other “technical” details.

Live Casino games are the most exciting

Contrary to popular belief, online casinos are much more than just battling computer software. RNG software can always be exciting, but interactive play is becoming popular, too. Games such as Monopoly Live are all the craze nowadays. Not only is the game action live-streamed, but you can also battle it out against other players.

Also, live dealer tables are often considered the pinnacle of online casino technology. Various animations, as well as AR and VR, are all heavily used in this genre. This makes the games much more immersive, especially on big monitors and VR headsets.

And the gameplay is unique, too. Often, live dealer gameplay is intricate and requires lots of preparation. That’s why so many players a looking for the best Monopoly gamble strategies. Since these games aren’t based on any existing titles, they often include new and exciting elements.

If you’re the type of person that’s always looking for new things to enjoy, live casino games just might be your cup of tea. Just don’t start playing before you know the rules and the house edge. A little bit of practice goes a long way.

Bonuses aren’t always meant to reward the player

Every online casino player is looking for value, whether they’re aware of it or not. So, think about it – do you like small minimum withdrawals? What about games with a low house edge? All of that’s value, in one shape or another.

One thing that most of us associate with value are casino bonuses. Their primary purpose is to give you something in exchange for doing something. As the thing you’re initially required to do doesn’t cost anything, every bonus seems like a generous gift at first.

Beneath the surface, there are many rules and conditions that change things drastically. Wagering requirements, expiry rates, and game limitations are some of the more popular examples used by sites.

If you have to play through the bonus in a limited period of time, on a limited number of games, you’ll be more likely to make a mistake and earn the casino money. Be vigilant.

Licensing tells you a lot about the site

And last but not least, the core of every online casino – the legal stuff. We’ve already mentioned that licensing is important, but not every licensor is built the same. Malta, Sweden, the UK, and Italy are known for their strict gambling laws. If a casino is licensed by one of these governments, you can play without fear.

However, we’ve seen many operators look for an easy way out. Instead of aiming for legitimacy, they just go to the first Caribbean government that gives them the green light. Do a bit of research about the licensor. Check online reviews for extra info, too.