Online casinos pop up like daisies every day. While this seems like a good, promising thing, it's incredibly overwhelming. The more we have access to, the better chances we have of finding something we like - but it'll take a lot of digging to find what actually should be getting the time and money.
Not all casinos are created equal, and while most are mediocre across the board, some casinos have features that make them live up to the hype of being truly exciting and worth the time and money. But how do players know what to look for?
It's not enough to jump into a casino with better graphics than the rest. It's not enough to start with a welcome bonus. The best online casinos have several similar factors that justify their reliability, engagement and worth over time for continued plays.
Game Selection & Quality
One of the first features worth looking at is game availability and quality.
It's not enough for a casino to say they have "lots of games" - it's better if they boast games across a multitude of features for variance (a slew of slot options, table games, live dealer games and maybe a specialty). Yet at the same time, it's not enough to boast an overwhelming quantity if quality is sacrificed.
For example, casinos with 500 games that come from reputable developers are far better than casinos with 5,000 games from shady developers - with no developers at all. Reputable developers include Evolution Gaming, Pragmatic Play and NetEnt - companies who've been around long enough to know how to create fair play, well developed games with good mechanics. Thus, a casino with 5,000 options but no viable provider is not worth it compared to casinos with 500 options that boast DraftKings quality.
With live dealer games, even more personal touch with fewer options exists but they're more valuable as a specialization for at-home players to feel like they're in a real casino. The best casinos boast multiple iterations of blackjack, baccarat and roulette with professional dealers and reputable streaming capabilities.
Payment Options & Processing Speed
Players may not consider payment options valuable access when choosing an online casino. For most average players, credit/debit cards for deposit and bank transfers for withdrawal are more than enough. However, these come with pros and cons - extensive processing (7-10 business days), potential fees, attempted rejection from banks who don't want to facilitate gambling-related withdrawals.
This is where cryptocurrency has been a game-changer. Crypto payments transfer faster (within hours) and boast their own privacy settings that obscure players from their banks questioning why $100 is needed for an online casino account. In addition, crypto can be more successful than debit/credit transactions once accounts are sufficiently established.
For example, Stake Casino has made payments 100% crypto-based; deposits are easier than any transaction a user would need to make in their life.
The more payment options available the better as generally online casinos want players as accommodated as possible for their needs. E-wallets like Skrill and Neteller do just fine for those who want convenient online/cash systems (money cards purchased); however, the inclusion of Bitcoin and other crypto holdings have made payment concerns more universally accessible .
With regard to processing speeds, some casinos excel while others fail. Some casinos process payments within hours (never debit/credit though); some take too long on their end (days/weeks). Clear limitations on maximum payments per day should be stated as well as processing times once a payment is requested so post-big win issues don't accumulate.
Security & Licensing
It's not a glamorous feature but it's a necessary one. Reputable online casinos operate with gambling licenses through real gaming regulators located across various cities worldwide. The most reputable include the UK Gambling Commission (United Kingdom), Malta Gaming Authority (Malta) and Curacao eGaming (Curacao).
These governing bodies will not just hand out licenses without question; they come with caveats like fair play compliance, secure payments and responsible gambling policies. If a casino is operating without the proper licensing, it's a red flag.
Other technologies come into play for added security measures. An SSL encryption - like what your bank uses - helps safeguard private info and payment info from hackers. A solid online casino will be open about its accolades; a legitimate one will brag about its security measures so users don't have to scour the company for required information.
Two factor authentication locks you out from someone accessing your account without your approval. While this is an added nuisance - in addition to just keeping your hard earned money safe from being stolen by nefarious forces - it's better to be inconvenienced at least once during your hiatus than lose the money you've worked so hard to earn in the first place.
Bonus Structures/Terms
Welcome bonuses are great but reading the fine print before taking the plunge into any online casino is crucial. For example, a $5,000 welcome bonus sounds tremendous but if it comes with 50x wagering requirements it means you have to wager $250,000 before you can ever pull any bonus-generated funds - and that's almost impossible without betting big!
Understand that reasonable wagering requirements range between 20x-35x max; any higher than that is absurd from a player's perspective. Bonus met time requirements are just as pertinent; while 30 days seems standard among all casinos, some give you less - which makes clearing bonuses virtually impossible.
Contribution percentages toward wagering requirements can help/hurt how clear bonuses go post-bonus play; slots give 100% contribution while table games receive 10% - or 0%. If your favorite game is blackjack or roulette then that invaluable bonus means next to nothing as far as playable needs are concerned.
For ongoing players down the line, welcome bonuses can actually be overshadowed by what's provided when you're already playing; reload bonuses, cashback bonuses and loyalty programs are accrued when you're a paying player. They can be accumulated over time so sustained play in one place beyond merely initial bonuses makes it worth your while.
Customer Support Level
Customer support isn't something you think about until you need it - but it makes all the difference. If you have an issue with funds pending and it takes three days for someone to respond by email (if they even respond), you won't want to play there again. Customer support does well with customer support; don't settle for anything less if you're trying to get your money back!
24/7 live chat customer support shouldn't be a bonus - it should be required. Issues happen outside of 9-5 hours; instant support means resolving an issue instead of waiting three days for someone to get back to you - and we all know they've got time to get back!
Multiple support access methods from different methods accessed throughout desktops/phones mean peace of mind wherever at any given moment. A live chat is best for quick answers; email is better if you're asking a minor question that doesn't require an immediate answer (but still one would be appreciated). Phone numbers are critical if you're planning on calling in for deeper discussions.
Pre-deposit test customer support by asking them questions about bonuses or payment methods; see how quickly/intelligently they respond - or if they don't at all! Gauge your comfort level in getting back based upon your initial interaction - that's the best way to prepare yourself as a paying user for how they respond on behalf of everyone else!
Performance & User Experience
More of a tech performance issue that affects user experience comes into play regarding how casinos work - or don't work - and how they present as - good or bad - or how users may find them inaccessible versus very user friendly based upon their layout and responsiveness.
If casinos take forever to load - or worse yet crash unnecessarily - not while you're conducting other online work through your WiFi connection - and if casinos are poorly organized where it's harder to find things as opposed to helpful hints abound - it's worth noting these potential pitfalls!
Moreover, mobile compatibility is key in today's age; if you're reading this on your phone, so should the mobile version of the site - and ironically often times it's worse than the desktop one (while ironically difficult to find some things on desktop) - so it's bad news bears!
If something appears ugly aesthetically at first glance - is it easy to find your favorite games? Is your account easily accessible without going through four menus? Do filters work? Do search engines work? If the answer is no - and there's no clear explanation aside from obnoxious behavior that punishes user aggregate gameplay since they're seeking their new home - it should be assessed carefully!
What Features Are Most Important To You?
Ultimately it's personal preference what distinguishes an online casino as "best." For some people variety matters most; others boast speed; still others highlight bonuses above anything else!
Clear your non-negotiables first - do you need crypto payments? Do you need specific games? Then align yourself with excess features if multiple online casinos are willing to accommodate your needs!
Then compare based upon what's most relevant. Reviews from real players matter - not promotional material - to see who've made deposits and successfully withdrawn money vs useless attempts glossed over by marketing materials but no valuable substance below the surface.
Patience is key in research - all casinos come with certain verification processes you'll want to get ahead of before switching down the road takes extra time away from what's supposed to be an enjoyable experience - even if you'd prefer it never happens again due to the amount of digging you'll do at the onset!