Becoming a confident online casino player takes time and plenty of trial and error. It’s a big world out there and even players who have been spinning the reels for years can always benefit from learning something new.
Playing online casino games seems simple enough on the surface. Just learn the rules, place a bet and off you go! But any veteran player will tell you that there is way more to it than that and new players should be aware of the potential stumbling blocks they may encounter.
In this guide, we will be looking at some of the more common mistakes made at online casinos and how to take steps to avoid them. If you have made some of these errors in the past, we have laid out how you can improve your performance next time.
Choosing the right UK casino
Let’s imagine, for a minute, that you are in the market for a second-hand car. You stroll up to a dealership, point to one in a colour you like and slam down a stack of cash. No inspection, no test drive, no kicking the tyres, no checking for rust. Does that sound like a good way to choose a car?
In the same way, a new casino player should not simply sign up to the first casino that comes along. Yes, there is a bewildering range of options out there and it can be tempting to avoid the headache and just sign up at random. We promise the extra research will more than pay for itself in the long run.
Choosing a reliable casino depends on several factors. Licensing is a good place to start. Licensing authorities such as the Malta Gaming Authority and the UK Gambling Commission are particularly strict about the security and safety rules that licensees have to follow. A casino holding one or, ideally, both of these licenses is a sure bet.
Another thing new players can do is read reviews from respected sites (such as this one!) as well as the experiences of other players.
Are there several reports of delayed withdrawals associated with a particular casino? Is the customer service team unhelpful or unprofessional? Other players’ experiences can help you get a picture of what a casino is like before you sign up, thus saving you potential headaches down the line.
Finally, aside from the technical aspects of a casino, it’s good to stop and think about whether the site in question offers you what you want.
If you love NetEnt slots but a casino only hosts Microgaming slots, it may not be a right fit. Do you like to deposit in Bitcoin or via Paypal? Have a look to see if the casino offers these payment methods. Crazy about live games? Maybe the casino with only two live game options is not the best one for you.
Have a browse and see if what is on offer matches what you want from your casino experience.
Register correctly
In this era of privacy concerns, data protection and so on, new casino players may be tempted to register with a casino using fake credentials. This is particularly appealing for players who want to look around an online casino before committing. No one wants a ton of junk mail in their inboxes and a lot of online companies are guilty of bombarding customers once they proffer an email address.
When it comes to online casinos however, registering with a fake name, bogus email or both will backfire if you discover that you would like to play at that casino after all. Reputable casinos i.e. the ones you want to sign up to, will crosscheck every piece of data you provide, to ensure that their services are not being abused or utilised for nefarious means.
Giving a fake name becomes particularly troublesome when it comes to depositing and withdrawing – it will be hard to explain why your credit card is registered to you when your casino account is registered to one Mr Bugs Bunny.
If you are worried about privacy or the threat of spam mail, there is an easy fix that will keep your inbox clutter-free. Create a new email address that is solely for casino-related activity. A lot of players like to open accounts with different casinos and using one central email address will keep all your casino correspondence in one handy place. It’s also useful if you don’t want casino-related mail arriving in your personal account for whatever reason.
Casinos are bound by data protection rules and thus will need your express permission to share your details or send you marketing materials. So whatever address you use, the chances of getting inundated with unsolicited mail are low.
Staying informed
Knowing what to expect from an online casino is half the battle, so to speak. Do your research beforehand so that there are no unpleasant surprises down the line.
Your best source of information on all things casino is the terms and conditions. Yes, it’s easy to just click ‘I Agree’ and move on, particularly as this legal document is hardly a gripping read. However, the T&Cs are where you will find information about new accounts, payment methods, self-exclusion, bonus terms, withdrawal limits, country restrictions, prohibited behaviour, wagering requirements and more.
Some casinos split their T&Cs into two – the general terms and conditions and the bonus T&Cs. It’s important to read and understand both if you intend to claim any bonus or promotion at the online casino. Make yourself a cup of tea and read through carefully. It will definitely make your casino experience easier in the long term.
Keeping a budget
To play online casino games, you will need some money. How much money and how quickly you spend it will determine the kind of casino experience you get.
Plenty of new players make the mistake of throwing everything they can (financially speaking) at a casino and it’s easy to understand why. It’s exciting and entertaining, and the potential for big wins is constantly at the forefront. But this ‘strategy’ is the quickest way to ending up broke.
It’s a good idea to lay out how much you are willing to spend, over a specified amount of time, before you start playing. Set your limits, whether that is in amount of cash, time spent playing or rounds played, and stick to them. This will ensure that you don’t go overboard and risk spending more than you want.
Some players may face some difficulty in limiting their spending and develop an unhealthy relationship with gambling. There are plenty of resources available, both online and not, to help those who think they or someone they know might be struggling with problem gambling.
It’s important that any concerns are addressed quickly and most casinos will provide links to terrific support services such as GamCare and GambleAware.
In conclusion
Playing online casino games is a lot of fun and millions of players around the world enjoy the experience, at a variety of casinos, every day. That said, there are some issues that can easily be avoided to ensure that each casino experience is satisfying and safe.
Any player can make mistakes and that’s not the end of the world. Just keep a cool head, do your research and you’ll never have to worry about that again.
