The online casino industry in the US is convoluted to say the least. Each state that allows online gambling has its own process for licensing and regulating online casinos. Then there are unlicensed online casinos, which exist outside of the norm.
Below, we’ll go over all you need to know when searching for an online casino to play at, so you’ll be equipped with a solid foundation of knowledge.
Properly licensed and regulated
No matter what kind of online casino or sportsbook you are looking for in the US, always be sure that it has a license. All online gambling sites should be registered and licensed by a proper organization or gambling commission.
Licensed casinos and sportsbooks are more trustworthy because they have proven that they obey the law, as well as providing games and odds that meet regulations, standards and aren’t too biased in favor of the house. For example, Hard Rock bet, which has been reviewed by industry authority WSN at https://www.wsn.com/sportsbooks/hard-rock-bet have exactly the kind of licensing qualifications and ratings you should look for, to have a safe and secure experience.
On the other hand, an unlicensed casino can potentially bring you a world of headaches. Even if they have good intentions and aren’t trying to scam you, an unlicensed casino operator can still accidentally break the law, resulting in the website domain and servers being seized by authorities. This means your money might get lost in the process.
This is just a best-case scenario with unlicensed casinos. Many of them are operated by would-be scammers or criminals trying to use the site as a front to cheat people out of their cash. They are also much more likely to be targets of cyberattacks, and you don’t want anything of yours to be victim to these breaches. That goes for your personal data as well as your cash.
Diverse game library
Once you find a trustworthy site or app, the next priority is the gaming selection. Even with a license, an online gambling site is nothing without hundreds of great titles to choose from.
This is the most subjective category when it comes to finding a good online gambling site, so hopefully you already have an idea of the sorts of games you like to play. If you are new to online casinos and aren’t sure what to play, games like blackjack and slots are very beginner friendly. Blackjack is easy to learn, and slots require almost no explanation to jump in.
Try to aim for a casino with a diverse library. Some people only play slots, but if you like to play baccarat and roulette as well, find an online casino that offers table games as well as card games and dice games.
If you want a slots-based casino, that doesn’t rule you out when it comes to variety. There are progressive jackpot slot games, 3D slot games, games with various rules and symbols, extra reel slot games and many more. Not all online slot casinos are equal when it comes to diversity.
Lastly, there are also online casinos that offer special game types with live streaming functionality. Live poker is especially popular as you get to interact with a live dealer. These games prove that the power of entertainment involves more than just cards and dice, but people too.
Customer support
Arguably the unsung hero of the online casino industry, every great online casino app and site needs a robust customer service and support team. This is especially true if you plan on using the same online casino for an extended period.
Customer support has three pillars: availability through time, accessibility through platforms and speed. This means a great customer support team should be available 24/7, have multiple ways of getting in touch, such as social media platforms, phone and email, and have a fast response time.
These things can be hard to measure, so feel free to read reviews from users and look for posts that emphasize their interactions with customer service.
As a bonus tip, try to look for online casinos with a robust FAQ page. They should have answers to address a wide range of issues, both simple and complex. A good FAQ should be able to answer questions related to anything from pending transactions to regional access.
Satisfied userbase
Even if an online casino has everything it needs to have on paper, something can still go wrong. This is why an online casino should be judged not only by its games and atmosphere but its rate of player satisfaction as well. Players who know the ins and outs of online casinos that have used many platforms can spot issues a mile away.
Many things go into this factor, such as the usability and themes of the website. It could be something as simple as the performance of the mobile app, especially considering most people do their online gambling on the go these days.
Read reviews by people who have been using the online casino for several months, not just a few days or weeks. You’ll get opinions that are better thought-out than first impressions. You’ll also get a sense of how the casino performs from every angle.
Payment methods
Online casinos and sportsbooks need to stay competitive by offering as many payment options as they can. Online gamblers love a variety of payment methods, because they provide more freedom.
Each payment method has different security factors, as well as faster or slower payout times for withdrawals. This means the more options a site gives you, the more leeway you have with navigating transactional logistics.
Some payment methods are faster than others, as well as having smaller fees. Others like cryptocurrency are not only ultra-fast but offer unparalleled levels of anonymity. To give yourself as much wiggle room as possible, pick an online gaminbling site with multiple options for both deposits and withdrawals, and select what works best for you.
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