Casinos 101 – A beginner’s guide to online gambling
Thinking about dipping your toe into the world of online casinos? In this guide, I will take you through all the essentials you need to know before exploring the world of online gambling, such as the factors to consider when choosing your casino and some handy tips that will help you along the way. Welcome to Casinos 101.
How online casinos work
With an online casino, you can play anywhere, anytime, so long as you have a registered account and a stable internet connection. An online casino contains a variety of games, including slots, table games, and live casino games, that are all available to you. At an online casino, you can also benefit from regular bonuses and promotions that give you a boost.
How do you get started at an online casino?
Once you’ve selected the casino you like, you need to sign up. Online registration processes typically take a few minutes. The casino will ask you for personal information, including:
- Full name
- Password
- Your residential address
- Email address
- Your mobile phone number
- Date of birth
- Sometimes you may be asked for your preferred payment option
Choosing the best online casino for beginners
Casinos come with a lot of features, and while they all follow a similar format, some casinos will have a more beginner-friendly approach than others. Here are a few beginner-friendly features that you can look out for when researching casinos.
For starters, what’s the casino’s navigation like? Some casinos are more naturally intuitive and user-friendly than others. This can mean having multiple filters in the game library that make it easier to sort through the list of games, such as searching by game type, genre, or provider. You can sometimes even search according to the minimum and maximum bet.
Does the casino display the game’s RTP and volatility when you check out its game library? Some casinos list this underneath the slot, and sometimes, it appears as an overlay when you hover over a game.
Having the RTP listed clearly helps players understand what their return on a game could be like, and for new players, it will help them learn which games to avoid. Games with an RTP lower than 96% are typically higher-risk games. If you’re still quite green in the casino scene, you might not feel comfortable, or have the budget, to play high-risk games.
While you’re in the game library, check if the casino offers demo versions of games. Demo versions are a useful tool to help you get familiar with a game before playing for real money.
If a casino has helpful resources readily available, that’s also a green flag. These can include information on responsible gambling, or even how to understand technical game jargon. BetMGM, for instance, provides blogs that explain things more clearly for beginners, arming them with the information needed.
Every casino should have customer support available 24/7 too. Familiarize yourself with the access points for customer support as the casino’s team can help you with more complicated issues. Most casinos have a dedicated support page that displays the hours their team is available and where to contact them via email or telephone. You also want to look out for a live chat, even better if it’s available 24/7.
Beginner-friendly games to start with
When it comes to choosing games, video slots are often a great entry point. With slots, you can find a provider whose style and mechanics you like, and who has demos on their site. There’s so much variety in slots nowadays that there shouldn’t be any problems finding something that ticks the boxes for you.
What’s important to remember about slots is the volatility and RTP. High volatility slots and slots with an RTP below 96% are considered high-risk games. Beyond that, however, you also need to consider what the betting range looks like. You should select a slot that works comfortably with your budget. Here are a few of our favorites to get you started.
Dead or Alive (NetEnt)
Take a trip to the Wild West with NetEnt. This slot has simple bonus features and an RTP of 96.82% and a small betting range of $0.09–$18.
Fortune Charm (Red Tiger)
A stunning slot that has an RTP of 96.18% and a few engaging bonus features, such as free spins and mystery symbols.
Big Bass Bonanza (Pragmatic Play)
A fishing-themed classic, with an RTP of 96.71%. The slot also has free spins and multipliers.
If video slots are not your vibe, there are table games that might interest you. Table games typically have a much higher RTP than slots on average, although I do recommend going for table games only if you’re already familiar with all the rules before getting started so that you’re not playing at a disadvantage.
If you do have some knowledge about one type of game, start there and use it as your introduction to online table games. When you’ve got more confidence, branch out into the other games. Blackjack and Texas Hold Em Poker are two of the most popular table games.
If you’re just starting out, I recommend avoiding the live casino section. Live casino games can have a lot of pressure since you’re playing in real-time, with other players, while also having a much higher betting stake range, meaning you’d quickly end up feeling out of your depth.
Common questions about online casinos
As a new player, you’re going to have a few questions that need answering, such as:
What’s the legal age for gambling?
In the US this varies depending on your state, however it’s generally between 18 and 21 years old. Check the legal gambling age in your state before joining a casino to make sure you’re in line with the law.
How do I play online casino games?
Once you’re signed into your account, head over to the casino’s game library and select the game you’d like to play. Try out the game’s demo version before playing for real money, or find it online if the casino doesn’t offer one. Use that time to learn the rules and test the game on the minimum stake. When you’re ready, play the game for real money.
When can I withdraw my winnings?
Winnings for your real-money bets can be withdrawn immediately, as long as you request to withdraw at least the minimum amount, which is typically around $10. This can also vary according to the type of withdrawal method you’re using. It will also affect how long your withdrawal takes. E-wallets, for instance, offer almost instant withdrawals, while bank transfers take 3–5 days.
How long do withdrawals take?
This varies from casino to casino, however, typically it takes around 3–5 working days. You’ll find the details for this in your casino’s terms and conditions, but reach out to the casino’s customer support if you need additional guidance.
Tips for first-time online casino players
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when starting out, but a few tips can help.
Check out the games and promotions
Take a look at the promotions on offer and the casino’s game library before signing up to make sure you’re happy with what’s available.
What’s a wagering requirement?
The wagering requirement is how many times your winnings need to be played before requesting a withdrawal. If it’s over 20x it’s going to be much harder to fulfill and will also eat away at your winnings much faster, so keep that in mind.
Research the casino
Read honest casino reviews to get a feel of the casino, including details on bonuses, game providers, and whether the casino has a valid license. It’s important to review the casino’s terms and conditions too. Ensure you agree with all the terms because they will impact your gaming experience.
Play the demo versions
If the casino offers it, make use of the demo versions and play games for free before playing for real money. This will help you understand the game mechanics and features, without spending any money. If the casino doesn’t offer demo versions, the game provider often has them available on their site.
Find your area and get comfy with it
You might want to try out the different types of games available at your online casino first, but once you find an area you like and are comfortable with, stick to it.
Budgeting
Set a budget and stick to it. The general rule of thumb is to never bet more than you can afford to lose. Take 5–10% of your recreational cash for your total budget, and split that up into 5–10% chunks to use on individual games.
Avoiding beginner mistakes at online casinos
There are a few things you want to avoid doing when you’re just starting out in the online casino world.
Don’t claim every bonus you see
It’s very easy to get swept up in the promotions page, but keep in mind that all promotions come with a wagering requirement. If you have too many bonuses to handle, you won’t have enough time or budget to play with. Also, not all bonuses are worth it. Some bonuses are too small to justify the wagering requirement, or perhaps they’re connected to a game you’re not interested in.
Don't chase losses
There’s a myth in gambling that if you’ve been on a losing streak for a while if you play long enough you’re due a win. This isn’t the case. All games are designed with a Random Number Generator (RNG), which means the results produced on each spin are random and fair. Wins and losses aren’t predetermined, so playing for longer means you’re likely to lose more money.
Don’t waste free spins
Free spins are a great promotion but don’t use them to test the slot mechanics. That’s what the demo is for. Free spins are a great way to extend your game, without any additional cost.
Responsible gambling for new players
The last point in my guide is responsible gambling. This means taking measures and using the tools available in a casino to play safely and responsibly. It’s very easy to keep spending more money or to get caught up in a game and play for too long.
Fortunately, many casinos offer tools and tips that help you to keep your gambling in check. These are limiters on your deposits, your wins and losses, and even how much time you spend gambling. Other casinos might even offer a reality check, letting you know how long you’ve been playing for, and encouraging a break.
Gambling is not a source of income and is never the place to escape from your problems. If you find it’s taking over your personal or professional life, there are professional organizations you can reach out to for support, such as GameSense.
Always go into a game with a clear head and never gamble while under the influence. Finally, make sure your expectations, and budget, are clear as winning isn’t guaranteed.
FAQs
Which online casino should I play at?
Always play at a casino that has a recognized license. This means the casino sticks to strict regulations and undergoes regular auditing. You can take a look at our casino reviews for some ideas. We only review licensed casinos.
How do I know if a casino is right for me?
There are different factors you need to consider before choosing your casino. Be sure to check out the quality of the casino’s experience, like how user-friendly the website is and what kind of games are available. From a practical point of view, be sure you’re on board with all the terms and conditions that the casino has.
Which games should I play?
I recommend you find your area and get comfortable with it. You might want to try a few different types of games at first. Most video slots are straightforward to play, and scratch cards have the simplest rules so they’re a good starting point.
Which bonuses should I claim?
There are different kinds of bonuses and not all of them are worth your time. Bonuses are designed to enhance your gameplay but don’t guarantee a win. Go for the bonuses that you can use in the games you want to play and make sure the wagering requirements are manageable.
