How to Choose Between Two Online Casinos
Published November 24, 2021 by Elana K
There are so many online casinos out there these days, how can you decide which one to play at? We’ve compiled a list of criteria that you can use to help you decide which online casino is worth playing at.
There are so many online casinos out there these days, how can you decide which one to play at? We’ve compiled a list of criteria that you can use to help you decide which online casino is worth playing at—check it out below.
What Should You Look For in an Online Casino?
There are several aspects of an online casino that can make the difference between an incredible player experience and a complete disaster. These include:
- Licensing & Security
- Selection of Games
- Selection of Banking Methods
- Promotions
- Customer Support
Licensing & Security
While online casinos are all about entertainment, you won’t have any fun at all if you play at a casino where you have to fear getting ripped off. Unfortunately, the online gaming industry has its fair share of scams. Playing at a licensed casino, on the other hand, can give you peace of mind and let you enjoy the games without worrying that someone will steal your financial information.
You can easily check to see if a casino is licensed by scrolling down on the home page. The licensing information should be in small print at the bottom, usually with a link that you can click on to see the license for yourself.
Licensed casinos are required to use SSL encryption technology, industry-standard security protocols. Even at a licensed casino, it’s always good to make sure that the SSL certificate is valid. You can do this by clicking on the small lock icon to the left of the site’s URL. When you click on it, you will be given the option to see the site’s valid SSL certificate. (And if a site doesn’t have a valid certificate, don’t play there!)
Selection of Games
Once you know that you’re playing at a legitimate, secure site, you can feel free to focus on the entertainment value of the casino. How many games does the site offer? From what providers? Which games are on offer? Is there a live casino, sports betting, tournaments?
The questions of how many games and which games are highly subjective. If you prefer a smaller, boutique selection of games, you’ll feel overwhelmed by a casino that offers thousands. But if you like having a large selection, you’ll feel limited at smaller casinos. When it comes to game selection and type, you can choose an online casino based entirely on your preferences.
Selection of Banking Methods
If there are two online casinos, both of which are licensed and both of which offer the kind of games you like, banking methods may be the make-or-break factor when deciding which one to play at. A casino that offers a large variety of banking options—including crypto—is usually more attractive than one that has limited options. Likewise, most players prefer a casino that offers fast payouts.
Promotions
Let’s be frank—some casinos treat their players better than others. Those that offer a competitive welcome bonus, ongoing promotions, and a worthwhile loyalty program will give you better value than those that don’t. This is especially true if you’re an avid player.
Customer Support
While we all hope to never need help when playing at an online casino, the fact is that sometimes things happen. For these situations, you’ll want an online casino that offers responsive, available customer support. Casinos that offer 24/7 support are obviously ideal, but at the very least, you should look for an online casino that offers live chat between certain hours. A casino with a comprehensive FAQs section is also helpful, since you may find the answer to your question there.
Have Fun, Stay Safe
While all the above factors are important when choosing an online casino, the only one you shouldn’t compromise on is licensing. Playing at a licensed casino protects you from scams. The other factors, while certainly important, are a matter of preference. For example, if one casino offers terrific customer support but not a large selection of games, it’s up to you to decide which is more important.
Fortunately, since there is so much competition in the online gambling industry, we think it’s possible to find an online casino that meets all of your criteria. It may take a little searching, but it's definitely possible.