How to choose an online casino? Choosing an online casino might not be as easy as it seems, as there’s so much to consider. You need to research everything from the site’s license to payment terms while knowing how to differentiate a good site from a bad one.
To help you, we’ve written this article on the most reputable online casinos, explaining what you need to check for and which features you can expect to see at regulated online casinos. So, by the end of this piece, you will be well enough informed to choose reputable online casinos to play for real money.
Key Takeaways
- Check that the site is licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority or another reputable commission.
- Look for thousands of slots, table games, and live dealer games from award-winning iGaming providers.
- Consider the variety of promotions available to new and existing customers, and always check the wagering requirements and other key terms.
- Ascertain which secure payment methods are available and review the payment terms and times to find instant deposits and withdrawals.
- Ensure the site is optimized for mobile gameplay, with an intuitive, user-friendly design and attractive graphics and visuals.
- Look at the different ways to contact customer support and check for 24/7 live chat, email, and phone support.
- Make sure the site is secure with SSL encryption and the games are independently audited for fairness. For more on the site’s legitimacy, read Reddit and Trustpilot reviews.
Licensing and Regulation
The most important thing to check before signing up for an online casino is that the site is licensed and regulated. Online casino regulation is handled on a country-by-country basis.
The UK Gambling Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority are the most trusted regulators globally. Their strict regulatory procedures ensure player safety and security.
Suppose an online casino is licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority or a similar commission. In that case, you can be sure that it follows strict regulatory protocols relating to fair gaming, transparent payments, and secure data management and processing.
Reputable online casinos provide safe and secure gaming opportunities for all players, and their games are independently tested by bodies like eCOGRA to ensure they’re genuinely fair.
In other words, for your safety and security when gambling online, you must sign up for a licensed online casino. If you sign up for an unregulated betting site, you have no recourse if something goes wrong.
Unregulated sites host unfair games and are known to hold back payouts, so it’s very much like gambling in the Wild West.
So, if you don’t do anything else when researching the best places to play, check for a reputable online casino by checking its licensing credentials.
Follow the steps below to confirm a site’s regulatory details:
- Visit the casino’s homepage and scroll down to the footer. There, you should find information about its license, including the regulatory body and the casino’s license number. If the details aren’t in the footer, head to the ‘About Us’ page or message the casino via the customer support live chat and ask for them directly.
- Take note of the license number and visit the regulatory body’s homepage. Then, quickly search the license number to ensure that the casino is a recognized licensee.
- For added peace of mind, read Reddit posts or Trustpilot reviews to see whether it’s a legitimate online casino. Customer reviews can provide helpful insight into whether the casino is worth playing at from a safety and security standpoint.
Game Selection
When choosing an online casino, we’re sure you want to play at a site offering a broad selection of exciting online casino games. A diverse game library is the hallmark of the best online casinos, and it covers all bases in terms of player preferences.
At the very least, we expect the best online casinos to provide access to the following game types:
Slots
Slot machines are the star attraction of most game libraries at online gambling sites. You will find classic, Vegas-style slots, video slots with enhanced graphics, and special slot machine titles, including Megaways and progressive jackpot games. Expect hundreds or thousands of slot games from leading iGaming studios.
Table games
You should also have access to dozens of thrilling RNG table games that pay tribute to the casino floors of Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Check for variants of blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and poker. You can expect low-stakes games and high-limit tables to cater to all betting preferences and gambling budgets.
Live dealer games
While RNG table games are fun and easy to play, live dealer versions of blackjack, roulette, and baccarat are even more engaging. Hosted by a real-life dealer, you can interact with the dealer, croupier, and other people in the lobby. This is the best way to experience the thrill of the casino floor without leaving your home.
Live game shows
A popular segment of live dealer games at online gambling sites is the game show titles. Based on much-loved games like Deal or No Deal and Monopoly, these titles take live dealer gameplay to new levels. Place your bets and join the immersive gameplay to unlock bonus rounds that lead to substantial wins.
Instant win games
Games like Plinko, Mines, and Crash have exploded in popularity recently, offering fast-paced gameplay and big potential wins. These instant win games and join scratch cards at online casinos are an excellent option for people looking for high-stakes and low-frills gameplay.
In addition to the game variety, you should check that the site carries online casino games by many of the world’s most celebrated iGaming studios. Look for games by Pragmatic Play, Play’n GO, and NetEnt for slots.
Pragmatic Play is responsible for the Big Bass series, while Play’n GO is the creator of Book of Dead. NetEnt fans point to Gonzo’s Quest and Starburst as two of the most-played slot games in the world.
Playtech and Games Global are responsible for some of the best RNG table games at online casinos, while Evolution Gaming is undeniably the king of live dealer games. You can enjoy games like Crazy Time, Deal or No Deal, and Funky Time from Evolution, which are best in class. Other prominent live dealer game providers include OnAir and Ezugi.
If you’re hoping to play at a casino with an extensive selection of games from the world’s leading providers, EVO.io has you covered. You will find games from Playtech, Evolution, and many other providers, enabling you to play the best games as you place your online bets.
Bonuses and Promotions
Many online casinos offer bonuses and promotions to incentivize new and existing customers. These promotions are extremely varied and can differ significantly from site to site. Therefore, it helps to be aware of the different types of bonuses offered by legitimate online casinos, so check out this list to guide you:
Welcome bonuses
For a bankroll boost when you start online gambling, you can access a welcome bonus offered by an online betting site. These are exclusively available to new customers and usually come as a deposit match. For instance, the casino might offer to match 100% of your first deposit up to $500.
No deposit bonuses
One of the most attractive new customer promotions available to casino fans is the no-deposit bonus. As the name suggests, you can access this promotion without making a real money deposit. As soon as you create and verify your account, the casino will add bonus funds to your balance so you can play slots and tabletop games; it’s a great way to get started at a casino without risk.
Free spins bonuses
Some online casinos offer promotions to new and existing customers. These are exclusively for slot games and are usually available on selected games by specified developers. Though they typically have a low spin value and have a win cap applied, free spins promotions are undoubtedly worth accessing, enabling you to play various slot games without any risk attached.
Reload bonuses
To reward loyalty and encourage players to make subsequent deposits at the same site, many online casinos offer reload bonuses to customers. A reload bonus is often tied to a second or third deposit and is a deposit match promotion. So, for example, if you make a second or third deposit at a casino, you may receive a 50% or 100% match on your funds.
Cashback bonuses
Though not as widely available as other offers, cashback promotions enable you to recoup some of your casino losses. For example, you might be eligible for 20% cashback on your losses up to $100 during your first 24 or 48 hours of play. So, while you don’t get anything upfront, you get a second shot at slots and table games if luck isn’t on your side.
High roller bonuses
To attract high ticket customers, some casinos advertise promotions specifically for high rollers. To qualify for these offers, you typically have to deposit several hundred dollars into your account, which makes them difficult for most players to obtain. Still, a high-roller bonus is worth considering if you plan to spend big at an online casino.
VIP & loyalty bonuses
Most reputable online casinos offer some loyalty or VIP bonuses. This is often in the form of a VIP club or loyalty scheme. Each bet you place earns points; the more points you have, the higher you climb up the VIP ladder. As you climb, you unlock better rewards and terms to improve your experience at the casino.
Before accessing a promotion at a casino, you must familiarize yourself with the key terms and conditions. The most crucial is the wagering requirement, which indicates how much money you must spend before cashing out any casino winnings. The lower the wagering requirement, the better the bonus is.
You should also check for things like the timeframe the bonus is available and whether you must opt in or enter a specific promotional code to unlock the bonus. Other terms, like minimum deposits and win caps, will be clearly listed in the terms and conditions published on the website.
EVO.io offers a generous welcome bonus to crypto players, providing a 100% deposit match when you add at least $20 to your account. We also offer numerous ongoing promotions to keep your account topped up, so check our ‘Promotions’ tab regularly for the latest offers available to you.
Payment Methods
Reputable online casinos support deposits and withdrawals via numerous secure methods. The more payment methods available, the better the casino is.
Depending on your preferences, many online casinos invite you to transact with fiat currency or crypto. Whether a fiat or crypto site, the casino should support instant deposits and speedy withdrawals, ideally within 24 or 48 hours, as you shouldn’t have to wait for your winnings.
The best online gambling platforms also don’t charge fees for processing transactions, so you can recoup your winnings when they’re due. The most commonly accepted payment methods at online casinos can be seen in the table below:
Payment method | Examples | Average deposit time | Average withdrawal time |
Debit cards | Visa, Mastercard | Instant | 1-3 days |
Credit cards | Mastercard, Amex | Instant | Not available |
Bank transfers | Interac, Trustly | 24 hours | 3-5 days |
E-wallets | PayPal, Neteller | Instant | 24 hours |
Pre-paid cards | Paysafecard, Mastercard | Instant | Not available |
Digital wallets | Apple Pay, Google Pay | Instant | Not available |
Crypto | Bitcoin, Ethereum | Instant | Instant |
As you can see, crypto is the best payment method at online casinos, as you can deposit and withdraw funds instantly to your private wallet. At EVO.io, you can transact in several cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Tether, and Ethereum. We don’t charge any fees for crypto transactions; all deposits and withdrawals are processed instantly.
User Experience and Interface
The usability of online casinos can make or break the site. After all, if the site is poorly designed and difficult to navigate, it will discourage players from creating an account and playing online games.
So, the best online casinos have a sleek and sophisticated user interface, delivering a high-quality experience to all players. Here are just a few things to check when choosing an online casino to sign up for:
- Mobile compatibility: Is the website responsive on mobile browsers? Is there a native app for iOS and Android? The top-rated casinos provide HTML5 games that can be played on smartphones and tablets, so you should always test a site’s mobile credentials before signing up.
- Navigation: Online casinos should be easy to navigate. The essential sections of a site should be easily identified by tabs at the top or side of the screen, and you should be able to click tabs for all game types. We also like to see a search bar to search for specific titles you want to play.
- Design features: Though the quality of a design and a website’s graphics are subjective, we expect online gambling platforms to be accessible to the eye, colorful, and impressively designed. There’s nothing worse than signing up to an outdated platform that’s clunky and difficult to navigate.
EVO.io features an intuitive design that’s easy on the eye and perfectly optimized for mobile gameplay. It’s one of the most impressive features of our crypto-gambling platform.
Customer Support
As much as you hope your online gambling experience will be seamless, things can go wrong from time to time, and you may experience some issues while playing. Therefore, the quality of a casino’s customer support team must be on point. Here are the minimum requirements to check for when considering a casino’s support options:
- Live chat: The easiest way to connect with a casino’s customer support team is via the 24/7 live chat. This is non-negotiable at modern casinos and should be readily available to all players.
- Email or phone support: Other casinos also offer support via email or phone for more complex issues. Check the hours the telephone and email support is available and whether you can access it in your country.
- FAQs: It also helps if a casino has a dedicated FAQ section where you can find details relating to other customers’ issues. This can resolve problems quickly and efficiently and is a helpful resource for all players.
At EVO.io, we pride ourselves on exemplary customer support, available 24/7 via our live chat function. You can access live chat on any page of our website and directly from your account dashboard.
Security and Fairness
We touched on this right at the start of this guide, explaining how to choose an online casino, but the security and fairness of a site are paramount. Aside from the license, always check that the gambling website has SSL encryption to keep your data safe.
You can also look for other security features, such as 2FA and secure payment methods, to ensure you play at a safe site.
For game fairness, we advise you to seek independent certification that the site’s random number generators (RNGs) are fair and audited. This often comes from eCOGRA, so look for the company’s logo in the casino’s footer to find their partnership.
Read Reviews and Ratings
Last but certainly not least, when choosing an online casino, read reviews and ratings from independent sites. Reddit is a great place to start, while Trustpilot is a reputable source of unbiased and objective reviews from real customers.
Take time to differentiate between genuine and promotional content by searching for vetted reviews from verified customers. This will help you to avoid blacklisted casinos to play at the best online gambling sites currently available.
Recap on How to Choose an Online Casino
You now have all the information you need to choose a legitimate online casino with a great selection of games, numerous high-value bonuses with fair terms, and secure payment methods.
If you’re ready to play online with crypto, create an account at EVO.io today, one of the world’s most exciting cryptocurrency casinos. You can create an account in seconds and access thousands of games from the top studios.