5 things you should know before playing at an online casino
Online gambling is a multi-million dollar business. If you’re a slot, poker, or roulette fanatic, taking a casino on the go is an excellent option for you. If you’re familiar with brick and mortar casinos, you probably already know the various challenges you could face while gambling. Getting well acquainted with online gambling could save you from these 5 pitfalls you could come across while finding the perfect casino.
1. Legitimacy and Legality
If you see a welcome bonus that’s too good to be true, it probably is. Read every casino’s terms of service, disclaimers and privacy pages. Also, check when and how you can withdraw and deposit your funds. There isn’t a point of gambling if you can’t take out your winnings. Making sure the casino you’re gambling at is legitimate will save you a lot of time, money and will prevent the likelihood of identity theft. Keep in mind that a whopping 30% of all online casinos don’t have proper licensing, so this issue is prevalent. Do your research!
2. Welcome Bonus and Choices
Online casinos function differently than their brick and mortar variety. While you’re shopping for the perfect casino, you’ll come across something called a welcome bonus. These vary from casino to casino, but these are used to pull players into their website. It’s odd to see something like this online because the brick and mortar gambling houses don’t need to give you free money to come in. Most cities only have 1, maybe 2 casinos nearby so your choices are limited. There are thousands of casinos online that cater to different languages and demographics. The UK has an almost 5 million dollar gambling industry, with Casumo casino being one of your many choices.
3. House Edge
A House Edge is the mathematical advantage that a game, or the casino, has over you as you play over time. This advantage results in a percentage return to the venue, and for you the likelihood you will lose a bet. It’s essential to weigh these odds so you’re aware of your chances of winning each game. Penny slots have one of the best house edges at 10%, and the lowest is usually blackjack in most casinos. Legitimate casinos will advertise their house edge, so pay attention to this.
4. Yes, it is Possible to Cheat at an Online Games
Swindlers still exist in the online gaming world, and it’s important to be aware when cheating occurs. If you see someone getting poker hands that are always high or players that win hands regardless of what combination of cards they have - they’re likely cheating. Cheaters use specialized software that isn’t always detected by websites, so it’s best to report them or leave the table. Most casinos will have anti-cheating measures in place though, so if they do continue to cheat those players won’t last long.
5. “How to Win...” Guides are Often too Good to be True
Get rich quick schemes are no stranger to the gambling industry. Tons of guides will teach you “hacks” on how to win blackjack or roulette consistently. The truth is it’s impossible to know the outcome of any gambling game without software as they’re mostly games of chance. Even games that require more strategy still have a high luck component. Forums, articles, and videos are usually sponsored content to get you into the casino they’re speaking about. Always think critically about what these creators are saying before signing up to any casino.
Always approach anything new with caution, especially something that requires your hard-earned money and credit card information. Treat online casinos like the brick and mortar variety - you’re cautious in real life, so why not the virtual one too? With that said, it’s absolutely possible to gamble safely and responsibly, so have fun and win big!
