The online casino industry has arrived. In 2022, the industry’s estimated market value stood at $63.53 billion USD. In 2030, it’s expected to exceed a staggering $150 billion USD.
Of course, that’s down to the constant stream of new users joining the online casino wave. You may be one of those newbies fresh on the scene, whether you’re about to place your first bet ever, or you may be a veteran of the land-based establishments.
Whatever the case may be, there are a handful of crucial components to consider before signing up for a new online casino account. Don’t worry, it’s a quick and easy read, and covers all of the essential info.
Read Reviews
When you’re looking to find out whether that movie is worth watching, you check out Metacritic or Rotten Tomatoes first, right? The movie promos will always say it’s the best thing since The Godfather, but the reviews will give, you know, the actual truth.
The same goes for casinos. We recommend reading both reviews from expert sites as well as users themselves. It’s the equivalent of critic and audience score, if you will. This gives you the best range of reviews, particularly on whether casinos offer a good deal and are to be trusted.
We also recommend reading sites for your specific country of choice. For example, if you’re looking for the best online casino site in Ireland, find a review site that is geo-specific. They will cover operators geared towards that specific market, which is far more beneficial than just reading generic reviews.
How’s Customer Support?
Online casinos stand and fall by their customer support standard. This goes for pretty much any company. With online casinos, you probably won’t need help from customer service representatives.
Until you do.
And then you’ll realize they’re nowhere to be found. Or that you have to wait 3 hours before the next one is available. That’s why it’s important to check that your casino offers good support.
Check that the casino has clear details about how to get in touch with the customer support department. Their contact details should not be more than just a few clicks away, rather than hidden away somewhere. Customer support doesn’t have to be 24/7, as long as the casino’s published office hours are accurate, the department is well-staffed, and queries are answered quickly and efficiently.
Various Payment Methods Offered
Ideally, deposit methods should be varied and flexible. This puts the customer in the driver’s seat, rather than you having to adapt to a limited range of payment options. Further, it’s a signal that the operator is legitimate, accepting a wide array of big-name payment suppliers like PayPal, Mastercard, or VISA.
Depending on your location and personal circumstances, you may also want to pick an online casino that offers the option to deposit using more anonymous (and hence more secure) methods. For example, paying by means of cryptocurrencies like Ethereum or Bitcoin does not require users to input their personal card details.
Tech Security
Of course, do the basic checks of the usual security features. For example, check that the wee green lock is green on your browser (or your chosen browser’s equivalent signal). This means it has secure SSL encryption, meaning your data is safe during transactions.
In general, you want to choose an online casino that puts security at the forefront. You should always be put at ease about your payment details as well as your personal information.
Quick Payout Processing
The majority of casinos will take your money without question. But when it comes to paying you for your winnings, that juicy slot jackpot, for example, things are delayed as much as possible.
Ideally, casinos should pay within 24 hours, even if they require additional security checks. KYC verification should not take more than just a few hours; customers should never be kept waiting to get their hands on their hard-earned cash.
Verified and Government Approved
The problem with industries experiencing unprecedented growth is that unscrupulous operators will try and take advantage. The number of scams or low-quality websites is on the rise, putting users at risk.
Fortunately, there is an easy way to circumvent these companies. You should always verify that your chosen online casino is listed on the relevant government agency website. For instance, if you are looking to gamble at an Australian casino, check the Australian Communications and Media Authority. As expected, here you will find listings for big-name operators like bet365 and Betfair.
DYOR (Do Your Own Research!)
Ultimately, you should do your own research and use varied sources to find a casino that is right for you. Don’t worry, there are plenty of nice options out there for you.
Even if you sign up for a new bonus every single day, there will be a new one waiting for you tomorrow.
