Choosing which online casino to sign up to of the astounding number of such sites now available can be a very tricky task indeed. Not all UK online casinos are the same – some are best suited to beginners, for example, whereas others may be aimed at the most seasoned gamblers. Some offer an especially wide range of games across many different categories, such as roulette, blackjack, slots, baccarat and more, whereas others may place a greater emphasis on branded games.
How to Choose an Online Casino
Where you conduct your betting and wagering has a big impact on the outcome due to many different factors. For instance, you might prefer to focus your attention on one specific game such as bingo or blackjack, but the casino you have registered with doesn’t provide these games or the best rewards, bonuses or features for frequent players of them.
Not only is it important to know what to look for in your casino’s options, it is also best to understand precisely how these things impact your choices.
So with all of the above (and more!) in mind, when you come to play online casino games, how can you be sure of being on the best site for you?
Carefully Consider Each Site's Reputation
When you are more of an amateur in particular, it may be better to choose the casino of a familiar big-brand name – such as Ladbrokes – over the more obscure options out there. While opting for the online casino of a well-known brand doesn't guarantee the best possible experience all of the time, such names tend to become reputable for a reason, and are usually anxious to avoid doing anything to imperil that reputation.
If you are a more seasoned online casino enthusiast, meanwhile, you might be more confident to try out more niche sites, but be sure to do your research first. Whatever site you choose, you should make sure that a secure method of payment is always used, in addition to paying close attention to those knotty terms and conditions.
Different Game Types Suit Different Requirements
While some online casinos take pride in offering basically every type of popular casino game out there, others focus on a specific category, such as slots.
If you haven't signed up to an online casino before, why not try roulette first? This is a leisurely, elegant game that doesn't require you to think too much while gambling, particularly as the odds in roulette are always the same, regardless of what happened on previous bets. Blackjack, meanwhile, is faster paced and more complicated, with the odds changing every time a card is dealt.
Even if you stick to one game type such as roulette, you are likely to come across many different variations on the basic formula, so you should make sure exactly what you are getting into before registering with a particular casino.
Naturally, as you explore the different online UK casinos out there, you will begin to see that some of them offer only a slim assortment of games. For example, a given site may only provide one or two kinds of poker and only a handful of slots, and you will really want to avoid these kinds of limitations.
Instead, go with a casino that has a lot of different varieties of games available, as this will let you explore options and experience more opportunities for winning!
What Bonuses Does a Given Casino Offer?
What does the casino offer in general? Do they make only a modest “first time deposit” bonus available to all players? Do they extend individual bonuses to the different games? When you start looking at bonuses, it is vitally important to read the details about the offer.
For example, we have seen some sites extending “up to” a certain dollar amount, but the hurdles and requirements that the players must tackle before getting those funds may not be realistic. This is why the terminology “up to” is attached to the tempting bonus figure.
Instead, we have found that the smartest choice is to find the site that provides some good deposit and ongoing bonuses for the games that you know you will play often, and which are delivered into your account immediately. You should know, however, that most bonuses are in the form of credits rather than cash and that they can be used only in the casino.
The Right Software is Also Vital
Almost all online gaming sites have proprietary software. Most of these packages will need to be downloaded to your hard drive, but are very safe and secure. You should know that gaming software tends to be written by only a few recognized companies. Many UK casinos choose one software company for their website and then have this secure and fully licensed software designed with their colour schemes, logos and other preferences.
While you can enjoy some games directly through a website, we encourage you to choose one or two sites, download their software and rely on this faster and more graphically appealing approach to playing.
Flexible Deposit and Withdrawal Options
It is sometimes tricky to locate sites that accept all kinds of payment and withdrawal options. We recommend that you do a bit of research to identify the sites with the best assortment of funding and payment techniques, including online payment accounts and/or credit card options.
It Helps to Have Good Customer Support
The value of good customer support cannot be overlooked and whether this comes in the form of free tutorials or 24-hour “live” customer service, it is absolutely essential to find a casino that demonstrates its care through good service of this kind.
Do Your Research When Deciding on an Online Casino
There are so many more questions that you will need to ask yourself when deciding on an online casino. Is the casino in question good-looking and easy to navigate? The various game formats should also be closely considered – some sites are definitely better than others when it comes to jackpots, lowpots or tournaments. What about other supporting features? Are there any features that enable you to put a limit on how much you stake each day or take enforced 'time out'?
With online casino sites these days being so varied, it has never been more important to swot up on the very best sites with regard to such aspects as bonuses, promos, games, software, support and payouts.
So, why not compare the best UK casinos today with the help of Top 10 Best Online Casinos? Remember that by reading our online casino reviews, you can see how we rank some of the best deals available in the entire industry.
Author
Gavin Lenaghan
Gavin writes on a wide range of subjects, including articles and reviews about online casinos, slots, bingo, poker, and sportsbooks. He has considerable expertise in the games, customer service, and other aspects of today’s leading gambling and betting portals.