How to find the best online casino

Across the world, the popularity of online gambling is growing.

13:19 01 July 2019

Of the £14.5bn total gross gambling yield made in 2018, in the UK alone, the online sector had a 39% share. Within the online gambling sector, casino games have generated £3.0bn — predominately through online slot games.

As the industry booms, so does the competition. For new players, choosing an online casino can be overwhelming; there are just so many options, with so many different features on offer as casinos strive to get ahead of one another.

Here’s what to look for when trying to find the best online casino.

Do your research

Like any new activity or venture, it’s best to start out by doing a bit of research. A quick web search of ‘online casino’ will get you thousands upon thousands of hits. Have a scroll through lists of best online casinos through media sources you already know and trust. They’ll be a good place to start! From there, you can explore different online casinos and get a better sense of what kind of website will work for your gaming style and interests.

Remember, reputation really does matter. If you’ve heard of the casino before - whether that’s through friends or television adverts - it’s likely to be a good one. The online casinos with a good reputation will definitely be licensed and have strong affiliations with trustworthy banks. You’ll learn more about this in the following tips.

Playing in the UK

A great place to start is by making sure you’re playing safe. If you’re in the UK, it’s best to look out for online casinos licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. The Gambling Commission is the government body responsible for regulating and supervising gambling in the UK.

A trustworthy and reputable online casino operator will have been applied and issued a license from the Gambling Commission. Look out for these on the online casino’s website and app; it’s the best way to stay both entertained while playing and know that you’re not getting an underhanded deal.

Types of online casinos

New to online casinos? There are two types to choose from.

Instant play casinos are accessible through your browser — that means no downloading of software or apps onto your device or local computer. You can also download online casino software — most make it an easy process — that allows you to play from your chosen desktop or laptop without any web browser support. This is a very good option for those who spend most of their time playing from home, as opposed to mobile devices.

Online casino players also have the choice to play on their mobile devices — meaning they can play wherever they happen to be at the time. According to a 2017 UK Gambling Commission report, the use of people accessing online casinos and gambling through their mobile devices was 51%. For players on the go, and mobile device users in general, this is a great option. Many of the popular casino game options have a dedicated page that shows their players how to access instant play games via a mobile app. For those who are already familiar with playing online, it’s a good opportunity to give online casino gaming a try.

Payout percentage and the nitty gritty details

When playing at casinos - whether land-based or online - it’s important to understand the payout percentage. The payout percentage is the amount a player takes home as winnings, based on a percentage placed on each bet. A high payout percentage indicates that the player will make the most out of their betting experience at an online casino.

Other things to look out for include terms and conditions and customer care, should you need it. Pay particular attention to banking and payment methods. If an online casino is not affiliated to the large, trustworthy banking firms it’s a good idea to look elsewhere.

Everyone loves a bonus — but be careful of clearances!

Bonuses, rewards and offers are a great way to entice new players to online casinos. As there’s so much competition in the industry, casinos often offer great sign-up bonuses as well as free bets and exclusive VIP programmes.

It’s important, however, to compare different online casinos clearance rates. Big bonus offers don’t always pay off in the end.

You don’t want to have to clear while playing that your bonus doesn’t count!

It’s all about the games

Of course, when it comes to online casinos it’s the games you’re really there for. Most casinos have a similar standard offering when it comes to games, including slots, roulette, poker, bingo and blackjack. Another way casinos fight off the competition is with the diversity of their games outside the standard and the quality of the entertainment experience for their players.

Many websites now offer live casino games; this can include everything from video poker games to live dealer games for blackjack and roulette. With the advancement of technology, casinos will be looking to host the most exciting games to encourage players to become regular customers. Developments around virtual and augmented reality make it likely that online casinos will have an even bigger offering in the future.

Out of all the tips in this list, finding a range of online casino games that best suit your style of play is the most fun.

At the end of it all, here’s what to know

The most important tip overall is to explore and compare. Every aspect of an online casino - from its game diversity and offering, to payment methods and payout percentage - should be considered. Reputable sources that you already trust for information are always a good place to start.

There are many great online casinos out there; take your time researching and you can find the best one for you.