The world of online casinos is only growing larger and larger with new players getting involved each day. However, there are things you should know before diving into the world of online slots and today’s article serves as a comprehensive online casino guide to get you up to speed with the basics and the do’s and don’ts with online gaming. So for the best online casino guide, keep on reading.
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What Are Online Casinos?
Gamblers have longed for the ability to access gambling services online ever since the development of technology, and in the 1990s, their wish came true. Online casinos are among the most popular places for gamblers to play a variety of gambling games as a result.
Virtual casinos are another name for online casinos. They operate in a similar manner to conventional casinos, except bets are made online. These online casinos can be accessed via a variety of gadgets, including computers, tablets, and smartphones. Just like in traditional casinos, online casinos are web-based platforms that let a person or gambler make bets on various events and games. You can play against the casino or other players on these online gaming platforms, which offer games created by various top development teams.
Traditional Casinos vs Online Casinos
Casinos can be found both online and offline, but there are also big disparities between them. The rise of online casinos is happening more quickly, and they are better equipped to change with the industry. However, brick-and-mortar casinos continue to have a role in the gambling market and provide a distinctive experience for patrons who value a social environment.
Online casinos are more cost-effective to run than traditional casinos because there is no need for physical infrastructure. As a result, they are able to give players better payout rates and devote more funds to marketing and advertising. In contrast, offline casinos must pay greater operational expenses to maintain a physical location, which may limit their capacity in this regard.
The customer experience is an important factor to consider when contrasting online and traditional casinos. Online casinos allow users to bet from the comfort of their homes and offer accessibility and convenience. In order to entice new players, they also provide a huge selection of games and alluring bonuses. Offline casinos provide a distinctive social environment and the thrill of really being in a casino. While experiencing the thrill of gambling in an opulent environment, players can take pleasure in chatting with dealers and other players.
The decision between traditional and online casinos ultimately comes down to personal preference and the kind of experience you're looking for.
The Most Common Types of Online Casino Games
While there is a huge range of more niche categories and subgenres such as Bingo, Slingo, and instant win Scratchcards, the most popular and extensive types of casino games played at online casinos are as follows:
Slots
Online slots make up the majority of games featured at most online casinos, and nowadays there are quite literally tens of thousands of slot games out there, from hundreds of creators. As the name suggests, online slot machines are the online equivalent of the classic slot machines that are a staple of brick-and-mortar casinos. In fact, many of the top online casino games can now be played at real-world locations and vice versa. Online slot themes and types are limitless, meaning there is quite literally something for everyone. Popular slot themes include Ancient Egyptian, Fruit, and Adventure, while popular mechanics include Megaways, Jackpot King, and classic 3-reel and 5-reel formats.
Table Games
Table games is the group term for the iconic casino games that take up the majority of a real-world casino’s floor. The most popular examples of these games include staples like Roulette, Blackjack, Baccarat, Poker, and Craps. Players can find many variants of these casino staples at online casinos and this genre often overlaps with the Live Games genre which we’ll talk about next.
Live Games
Live casino games are the most rapidly growing section of online casinos, with top players such as Evolution, Playtech, and Pragmatic Play consistently devising new innovations. Live casino games are designed to mimic the experience of playing at a real-world casino as closely as possible while allowing the players the freedom to take part whenever and wherever they like. While the majority of live casino games are based around classic casino games like Roulette and Blackjack, one of the most popular sections of this genre are live casino games which play out like TV game shows, and often use prize wheels and bonus games all set within a flashy purpose built studio.
The Do’s List
As with anything, there are do’s and don’ts of online casino play, which many newbies can fall foul of. To start our list, let’s explore the things you should do when playing at online casinos.
Budgeting
Setting a budget is one of the most crucial things you can do when playing at an online casino. Prior to playing, decide how much you are willing to spend to prevent overspending and minimise losses. Once you've established your budget, follow it. While it can be tempting to spend up when playing casino games because of the excitement, maintaining your budget can help you keep things under control.
It might be time to stop or switch to a different game if you consistently lose more games than you win. Keep in mind that having fun is the sole object of playing casino games, not profit.
Luck is Your Partner
While many sites will state that there are ‘sure fire’ strategies that can help give you the ‘edge’, the factor of the matter is that almost all casino games, whether real world or online rely on luck. There’s no way to predict or guarantee wins, and online games and real-world slots are programmed with a random number generator (RNG) to ensure all outcomes are fair.
Knowledge is Power
Make sure you’re informed before you start playing at either a real-world or online casino. Reading articles such as this one (well done!) can be a quick and easy way to bring yourself up to speed with some of the basics. Another great tip is to check out the game information of your prospective title so you can learn about factors such as wagering limits, special features, and statistical information such as RTP, volatility, and variance.
Being Cautious About Online Casino Sites
The most important thing to consider when choosing to play at an online casino is which casino to choose. As we all know, the internet is a vast place, and while regulation and safety measures increase in quality, there can still be some scam sites that can slip through the cracks. Therefore, you should make a few simple checks before making your final choice.
Licences and Regulation
In order to ensure they are operating fairly and legally, all legitimate casinos will be licensed and regulated by a third party. Common regulators include the UKGC, Malta Gaming Authority, and Curacao. Games hosted by online casinos should also be tested for fairness by a third party such as e-Cogra.
Reviews
Do a quick Google search on your chosen casino. You should find a lot of reviews pop up. Read some of these. While there may be an unreliable outlier or two, if both seasoned review sites and individual player reviews are all telling you to steer clear of a certain site, it's probably for the best.
Customer Service
This is an important factor that many new players forget to consider. Explore the FAQ/help section of your chosen site. Is it well populated? What support options are offered? It’s rapidly becoming the industry standard for sites to offer 24/7 live chat support, but at the bare minimum any site worth its salt should offer an email and a phone line as support options. A site which only offers one, or even uses an outdated support ticket system is best avoided because it’s clear there’s going to be a wait if you have questions and as online casinos require your real money, you want to be 100% sure you’re going to get the help you need and quickly.
The Don’ts List
Moving on to the Don’ts list. You’ll definitely want to avoid falling for any of these pitfalls, as you can end up spending more than you intended and having a negative gaming experience.
Playing with a Bad Mood
Don’t let your mood influence the decisions you make when gambling online. Yes, being on a run of bad luck can be really frustrating, but it's important to keep a cool head and recognise when it's time to stop and step away. If you’re not playing with a clear head, then you’re going to make poor decisions and/or overspend.
Going Beyond Budget
As we mentioned having a budget and sticking to it is essential. Having a budget protects you from getting swept up in the moment and overspending. While it can be tempting to place one more wager, particularly when you’re on a winning streak, it’s important to be firm with yourself if you’ve hit your budget. Alongside setting a budget of what you want to spend, you should also set limits when it comes to spending any winnings you might accrue.
Never Taking a Break
Online gambling should be seen as a hobby and should not be seen as a way to make money or take over the majority of your free time. Breaks are essential to ensure a good experience and avoid overspending. If you can’t stop playing online casino games, or find yourself constantly thinking about playing, then you should explore the many gambling addiction resources out there, such as those recommended by the site you play with.
Don’t Chase Losses
While a big loss can be a massive frustration or a streak of losses can make it seem like a win is right around the corner, it is essential to never chase your losses. As we’ve mentioned, all gambling games rely on chance as there’s no guarantee that a win is coming and no way to predict when. Instead, if you find yourself on a losing streak, stop and step away.
Conclusion
So there you have it. The online casino world is an exciting and fast-changing one with plenty to explore and lots to enjoy. So long as you practise safe gambling practises, online gambling can be an entertaining hobby. At Spin Genie we operate a safe and exciting site which always adds new features and games to keep players entertained. In short, sign up and play at Spin Genie today, have fun, and always gamble responsibly.
