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How to Choose an Online Casino Like a Pro?

Many people think that choosing a new online casino is a matter of just finding the best deals around. While a good welcome offer and regular promotional events do factor into a casino's value, they only represent a part of the whole picture that you should be looking at when making your choice. Below, we covered various criteria you should consider when you're choosing between several online gambling sites. You can find more detailed information for each online casino by visiting our casino reviews right here at GoodLuckMate. In this article, however, we’ll be covering aspects that you can take into your own consideration. So, scroll down to learn how to choose an online casino.

Licensing and Security at Online Gambling Sites

When you're choosing an online casino, your first step should be looking into its licensing and security policies. Most legitimate online casinos operate through gambling licenses that authorize them to provide certain games to certain regions. If possible, you should avoid playing at an unlicensed online gambling website, as this can (in the worst-case scenario) lead to your information or deposited funds being stolen.

Licensed sites will typically display their licenses loud and proud, which can also be externally verified at the authority's own site. Common gambling licensing authorities include the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) and Curaçao eGaming.

The best online gambling sites will also provide a privacy policy that lists the ways in which your information is stored, used and kept safe. Certain policies will also list the rights you have regarding your personal information, which can change depending on your locality.

Game Selections

The main reason people sign up at an online gambling site is the game menu. You need to keep in mind that an online casino's game selection can vary just as much as anything else. Typically, larger online gambling platforms might boast over a thousand games on their menu. Yet, smaller or new online casinos may only be able to support a few hundred titles. That isn't the end of it, though, as we often come across sites that boast of offering hundreds of titles but don't include any live casino games.

Larger game selections can also mean that offers are less likely to happen on your favorite titles. Therefore, make sure to check out if the site has the games you're interested in rather than just looking for the best casino online with the largest number of games. A sportsbook section is also something to consider, as not all online gambling sites are equipped with this. Finding a good sports betting site can be its own beast, as the sports betting platforms can differ a lot in the odds they offer and the user interface they are presented in.

How Do I Choose the Right Online Slot?

In the ever-growing iGaming industry, there are thousands of slot titles released every day. So, if you're a newbie, it might be hard to find the right pokie for you. Lucky for you, your best mate is here to give you a few pointers!

Firstly, you want to pick a slot from a reputable developer, such as NetEnt, Microgaming, or Betsoft. Moreover, you should figure out what type of online slot you prefer – a classic slot reel, a video pokie, or a progressive jackpot. Keep in mind that most modern online slots feature five or six pay lines, unlike traditional slot machines. Lastly, you should also consider the RTP of the game, as it's the best way to maximize your winnings.

Which Online Slots Win the Most?

When you're trying to score the most amount of money on an online slot, you want to choose a title with a high RTP. The return to player percentage is the amount your bet will be paid out in the winnings. So, if you're spinning a slot reel with a 95% RTP, you'll get around $95 for each $100 you wager. Naturally, this isn’t guarantees because the RTP is calculated over millions of sessions. Yet, as a general rule, it’s better to focus on games with high payout rates.

The top 10 online slots with the highest RTP are as follows:

  • Avalon II – 97%
  • Guns N’ Roses – 96.98%
  • Thunderstuck II – 96.65%
  • Wheel of Fortune – 96.6%
  • Mega Fortune – 96.4%
  • Starburst – 96.1%
  • Wizard of Oz – 95.99%
  • Flaming Hot – 95.53%
  • Book of Ra Deluxe – 95.5%
  • Triple Diamond – 95.06%

While here, it also fair to mention volatility. When you wonder how to choose an online casino as a newbie, go for an option that has low volatility slots. These games give frequent yet small winnings. This means that you can play longer and get comfortable with iGaming.

Cashback at online casinos - value for your money

Top Online Gambling Bonuses and Promotions

So, you might have found a legitimate online casino with a good set of PC or mobile casino games ready to be played, but what about something a little extra? Online casinos are in hot competition with each other to provide the best casino bonus deals to steal away each other's players. This means that welcome packages, loyalty programs, and other compelling promotional materials are commonplace throughout. Whether any of these are of value to you is up to you to decide.

Most common are the free spins promotions, which operators often use to promote their new online pokies. Yet, many of our readers might prefer other casino games, so this promotion might not be a good fit for them. Try to find an online gambling platform that offers a good mix of goodies for all types of players. Keep in mind that your locality can be a limiting factor in the availability of offers and promotions. Your mileage can vary drastically, depending on licensing policies and local laws.

Payment Methods

Lastly, the best gambling sites online will provide a good variety of payment options for players to choose from. Payment cards and bank transfer options are things you can expect to find at pretty much any online casino. However, this is another topic that can be incredibly hard or easy for players, depending on their place of residence. There are, however, great online payment methods that make things quite a bit easier for a lot of people around the world.

E-wallets are incredibly popular and widely available at the top online gambling sites, as they provide an instant and convenient way for players to handle their iGaming finances. Cryptocurrency has also recently exploded into the market to the point where you can even find many casinos that exclusively deal in cryptocurrencies alone. Note that the best online gambling sites will provide a payments page listing all supported payment methods, processing times, fees, etc.

What Is the Most Reliable Online Casino?

Sometimes, instead of wondering how to choose an online casino as a beginner, you can simply take expert recommendations. We have more than 1,000 gambling sites listed and reviewed here. So, you can simply check out a few reviews to see whichever brand seems attractive to you as a player.

If we had to handpick a few top-rated online casinos for rookies, here are some of the brands we’d choose.

First, let's mention KatsuBet, an excellent brand with a lot to offer to its users. From games to bonuses, it just doesn't disappoint anywhere. The casino is also trusted and licensed, so you can't make a mistake if you join it.

Then, we have Hejgo Casino, another reliable and fully licensed gambling site. Hejgo has an impressive and modern design. It goes beyond good looks though, as it also has a fantastic game lobby powered by leading game developers.

Finally, we'd like to highlight VideoSlots as a reliable and trustworthy online casino. This site is among the best-rated on our website and has a lot to be proud of. Starting from the thousands of online slots to the generous bonuses, there's nothing not to like here.

We have to point out that not all of these are available to all users. Sometimes, the availability depends on your location. Moreover, each of these marvels in a specific section, like live dealer games, slots, or bonuses. In any case, these are trusted and regulated sites where you can safely try online gambling as a beginner.

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Nerijus Grenda
Nerijus Grenda
Last Update: 13 Mar 2023
Nerijus Grenda is a prolific contributor to the GoodLuckMate site. With a deep understanding of the online casino industry, gained from his own experience as an avid player, he offers valuable insights on what sets the best casinos apart from the rest. As a writer, Nerijus shares his expertise through expert analysis and thoughtful commentary on various topics related to online gambling, including casino reviews, game guides and industry trends.
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