Finding your favourite online casino covers a whole range of factors. I like to keep things simple and stick to a few rules. Many of these tips and tricks have been passed on to me by those in the industry who, at the time, had much more expertise and knowledge.
But what are the criteria that comprise a highly rated online casino? Well, there are some non-negotiables, but there’s also a large slice of objectivity, and it’s only by combining these two ingredients that you will be able to find your favourite online casino with any degree of reliability.
What do the experts know?
In the modern era, it feels like there are more “experts” now than ever before. Thanks to social media, where more people than ever are becoming specialists on topics after digesting half a day’s worth of TikTok and YouTube shorts, even the definition and idea of an expert is being brought into disrepute.
Thankfully, these lines aren’t as muddied in the vast world of online casino gaming. Expert reviewers can provide a detailed history of where they got their experience, and you can tell just by looking at the detail they go into and their intricate knowledge of the sector that they have spent years crafting their opinions and honing their knowledge.
If you’re looking for a new online casino, the place to start is with expert reviewers. Online casino reviews are pivotal in forming an opinion and building a good base knowledge of the criteria that matter when deciding which casinos are ranked above the rest. Here are some of the main variables that the experts use:
- Speed of withdrawals and deposits.
- Payment options are available.
- The size of the gaming library.
- Security of the site.
- Licensing and reputation.
- Comments that people have made on social media.
Determining your personal preference
There are thousands of online casino gaming options out there, although the experts often stick to the bulleted list we highlighted in our last section. That doesn’t mean there isn’t some room for maneuver, though. For instance, you might prefer slot games, but you may enjoy specific types of themes, whether it be film, TV or mythology-based games.
Some gamers prefer to play on a laptop or PC, while others might prefer to use their mobile devices, including smartphones and iPads. Some casinos specialize in offering promotions or advertisements for those who prefer to play a certain way, such as free spins bonuses for slot gamers or free credits for downloading their mobile app for mobile gamers.
Casinos will cater to your preference; it’s part of their appeal. If they can continue growing their customer base, then this is a significant factor in their becoming a reputable and trustworthy brand.
It’s the same as a holiday. We all love a good holiday, but some of us enjoy a sunny holiday, relaxing by the pool, while others prefer skiing or other winter sports like snowboarding, at the opposite end of the spectrum.
Why it is crucial to shop around
Shopping around is essential in any market or walk of life; if we like the look of a nice shirt or dress, shopping around will mean we find the best price for that item. Likewise, if we were doing a big food shop, we would compare brands and prices before putting down our hard-earned cash. In-store branding and psychology is big business for land-based companies, and online casinos operate in largely the same manner. The only difference is that their shop window is digital – but the general experience for consumers, especially from a marketing perspective, is very much the same.
In fact, there’s an added emphasis on casino gaming, as shopping around often results in finding new customer offers, promotions and other forms of free betting credits and free spins.
Now, just because an online casino offers a few free spins doesn’t mean that they have the best platform out there – far from it. However, it does give you an opportunity and insight into how the inner workings of their site operates, and provides the chance to observe a range of different platforms before you decide on which one is your favourite.
Sure, the initial reason why online casinos use these promotions is to get you on board, but if you utilise these bonuses and take them as an opportunity to view what the site has to offer in the most cost-effective way possible, then it will provide you with a greater scope and showcase the broad options within the online casino world.
Remember the importance of responsible gambling
Gambling within suitable time and deposit limits is the foundation of responsible gambling. Although casinos have to undergo a stringent regulatory process that ensures many of them provide the necessary tools for problem gamblers, including cooling-off periods and self-exclusion, the quality of an online casino’s responsible gambling initiative can speak to the underlying commitment they have to protecting their customers.
Reputable online casinos must have an avenue that promotes responsible gambling. Ideally, this would be its own bespoke page and an easy and simple way for customers to speak to somebody if they believe they are developing an issue and need support.
Final thoughts
There’s no fine art or secret formula to finding your favourite online casino. It’s an objective choice; for many casino gamers, it’s trial and error. You could spend days or weeks flicking between casinos, checking out promotions and new customer offers, and drawing up a list of pros and cons when deciding on your favourite provider.
Also, just because one brand appeals to you doesn’t mean you can’t shop around later. There is a mountain of providers looking to break into this market, and their platforms, marketing campaigns, business models and site designs change pretty regularly.
It’s not an industry that stands still, so if you are looking for your favourite casino, our best advice is to listen to what the experts and fellow gamers have to say, consider important variables like responsible gambling and site security, and shop around regularly.
