Online casino gaming is skyrocketing! The fastest-growing segment of the gambling industry, online gaming has captivated both the young and the old – but unfortunately, not every brand that hits the shelves is worth the money. In fact, some of them might be rather dangerous, which is why it’s important to play with safe and high-quality casino sites. The only way to tell the good from the bad is to make your own reviews.
“Without reviews, you might be attacked by what I call casino poachers. It’s site hunting after inexperienced customers, only to grab their deposits and disappear,” explains Anna Rosak, who has been working in iGaming since its dawn a decade ago. Anna specialises in gambling jurisdictions and legal casinos, or “legalne kasyno online” as she calls them in Polish.
Whether you play at European or crypto casinos, you’ll have to approach it carefully, and with due diligence. “Online casinos are fun only if you play at a safe, reputable, and preferably regulated establishment, with an impeccable reputation. So please, don’t sign up with the first that comes along the way,” she warns and shares a couple of tips with us.
Licence and Safety
Your first priority should be to play with a licensed gaming site. Anna Rosak (read her bio) explains that the best options are locally regulated online casinos, as they offer the highest level of protection. In case something goes wrong, you can always reach out to your local authority. But what if there is no such online casino in sight?
“Sign up with brands authorised by the UKGC or MGA. If there is no other option, stick with Curaçao brands. No matter how desperate you are, and how good that bonus might sound, never, ever, not in a million years play with unlicensed brands,” begs Anna.
Gaming Repertoire
The second most important criterion is the variety of casino games. After all, that is why you joined the party in the first place! According to the casino specialist, you should play with a casino operator offering a good gaming catalogue that includes slots, live casino, table games, scratch cards, and perhaps even sports betting.
A good casino will have a good balance of quality and quantity and will encourage you to explore different genres. Rosak suggests looking for brands with major gaming suppliers added, as that usually guarantees high levels of high-quality entertainment.
Bonuses and Promotions
“Here’s the thing about bonuses. We all love bonuses. They are a gift from God. However, they can also be a curse in disguise if you don’t have a good idea of what they are,” elaborates Rosak.
She wants to warn players bonuses are not free money but should be considered a sort of loan that can be paid out only if they play it by the rules: “A good casino will always have transparent and manageable bonus terms. In my experience, the bigger the bonus, the higher the rollover, so there is nothing wrong with sticking to less lucrative promotions.”
Payment Methods
Sooner or later you will have to top up. Namely, in order to win real money, you also have to play with real money. Rosak suggests sticking with a casino brand that has the payment methods you already use, to avoid any additional hassle with opening new accounts. But, as always, there’s a catch.
“Consider fees, withdrawal times, limits, and other details related to payments to be sure you are getting the best service. You don’t want to be stuck with a method that charges high fees and is painfully slow. Fast, cost-efficient, and rapid is what you need,” says the expert.
Mobile Gaming
Rosak is aware of the fact that most players prefer their phones over desktop computers, and your casino should act in the same way. In the 21st century, reliable mobile gaming is not an option, but a necessity.
“Use a mobile-optimised site, or stick to mobile apps, whatever works for you. Keep in mind that your casino should have the same variety of games and bonuses across all platforms, and perhaps even additional perks for playing on mobile,” adds Anna and reminds players they can also sign up via mobile if that’s what tickles their fancy.
Customer Support
In the end, Anna Rosak reminds players of how important good customer support is: “It is a factor that can make or break a deal. If your customer support is not reliable, neither is the casino!”
Rosak is a major proponent of live chat support, available 24/7. She believes it is the only support that operates according to the needs of modern players. “Look, email is fine, and the phone is fine, but nothing is finer than a live chat. When you have reliable live chat agents on your side, you can be sure you’ll be getting good treatment,” concludes the expert.