This is my experience with online casinos, and it is just ONE person's experience, but unlike many posts, I have no vested interest at all in promoting any particular casino. This is my experience alone, but it may help new players and some existing ones.
Firstly, this is what I have learnt, in short, over 2 years of playing at over 30 casinos:
1) ABSOLUTELY read the reviews by both webmasters AND players. Look for casinos with multiple complaints and avoid them, even if the complaint has been 'resolved',
2) If the casino will not tell you which company owns it, don't play there... if something goes wrong and your money goes missing, you need legal recourse,
3) Find out where they are located and the process for complaints. If they are located in, say, Antigua, there is a Directorate of Offshore Gaming that you can contact to resolve many issues,
4) Under no circumstances play at casinos on the rogues list. They are there for a reason, and sites like this do not list them just for fun or for a hidden agenda.
5) Play with play money first. Get a feel for the games and the wins you can expect. If the game play doesn't feel right for you, go elsewhere.
6) Some casinos are 'highly recommended' by websites. Sometimes the webmaster is an affiliate and receives money for promoting them. Do your due diligence and read the forums as well.
7) Be respectful to staff but remember, you are paying them money, not the other way around. Often a squeaky wheel gets the grease, but don't be too squeaky unless there is no other option.
8) Read their terms and conditions very very carefully. If it mentions the wording 'bonus hunter' or 'bonus abuser' play elsewhere. This is just an excuse not to pay you if you win. If they won't want you to have bonuses then they should not give them to you.
9) Never cashout everything... this WILL cause you some problems. I recommend only ever cashing out half of your winnings. They want you to play, and if the think they are going to lose out, then they CAN get nasty.
10) Never threaten to do a chargeback... if you feel you have grounds for a chargeback, contact your bank or Visa/Mastercard and discuss with them.
11) There is a blacklist. I have been put on it once, for telling the casino I was playing at that I want a bonus because they have taken all of my money without any wins. If you DO end up on a blacklist... so? It's not the end of the world. Play somewhere else.
12) Set a daily or weekly limit, and don't modify it. Don't allow them to increase your limit without your permission.
13) If you make a mistake by betting too high or something, don't complain. It never works. If YOU pressed the button, it is YOUR responsibility.
14) The only deposit confirmation documents you should send any casino is a signed authorisation for the transactions you have made (NEVER sign a blanket authorisation) and you should provide a copy of the card and your driver's licence/ If they ask for more, be a little wary.
Now for the good stuff... my hotlist and blacklist:
Sun Palace - avoid. uses RTG. questionable odds. nasty staff (Brian). will argue all the time about rubbish. will argue over every bonus. horrible software. takes ages to download and install games. problem with the way security handles your docs. just avoid.
32Vegas - avoid. they blacklisted me with another casino because i told them they took my money, so they had me listed as a problem gambler. these people will give you stacks of bonuses, but they WILL call you a bonus hunter if you take them. they will do anything to get you to deposit. these are nasty people, who seem really nice and helpful at first. don't fall for it.
Bodog - my experiences were not good. lots of people like them. i don't. no particular reason. i just found them a bit too arrogant for my liking. no respect for the customer
Casino Tropez - i personally love them. good bonuses. friendly staff (except for Sabrina). my vip host is fantastic. really looks after me. i had a $4k cashout after only about 500 in deposits. good games but they need more. if you like playtech, these are the people to play at. only downside is that when you are on a losing streak, it's a long long streak.
Any site driven by microgaming - my experiences with microgaming have been bad, but lots of people prefer this over playtech. so, me personally, i don't like the software and find it very intrusive and hard to get rid of. there was very little in the way of support at the casinos i played at, but maybe that was just those casinos
Kiwi Casino - this is one i thought would be good, but i would avoid it as i have had a few problems here. they are no longer owned by a land based casino, and since then are sliding downhill.
Carnival Casino - they spam me incessantly. i will never play there, as i receive maybe 20 emails per day from them. these guys were good, years ago. rubbish now.
Golden Palace - do they even still exist? Same as Carnival. Used to be good but that was a long time ago now.
Allslots - they are rude and arrogant, for no good reason. i wouldn't play there for all the tea in china.
Well, there are lots of others, but these are the ones i feel most passionate about, one way or another.
Most happy with - Tropez
Most disappointed with - probably 32vegas
Firstly, this is what I have learnt, in short, over 2 years of playing at over 30 casinos:
1) ABSOLUTELY read the reviews by both webmasters AND players. Look for casinos with multiple complaints and avoid them, even if the complaint has been 'resolved',
2) If the casino will not tell you which company owns it, don't play there... if something goes wrong and your money goes missing, you need legal recourse,
3) Find out where they are located and the process for complaints. If they are located in, say, Antigua, there is a Directorate of Offshore Gaming that you can contact to resolve many issues,
4) Under no circumstances play at casinos on the rogues list. They are there for a reason, and sites like this do not list them just for fun or for a hidden agenda.
5) Play with play money first. Get a feel for the games and the wins you can expect. If the game play doesn't feel right for you, go elsewhere.
6) Some casinos are 'highly recommended' by websites. Sometimes the webmaster is an affiliate and receives money for promoting them. Do your due diligence and read the forums as well.
7) Be respectful to staff but remember, you are paying them money, not the other way around. Often a squeaky wheel gets the grease, but don't be too squeaky unless there is no other option.
8) Read their terms and conditions very very carefully. If it mentions the wording 'bonus hunter' or 'bonus abuser' play elsewhere. This is just an excuse not to pay you if you win. If they won't want you to have bonuses then they should not give them to you.
9) Never cashout everything... this WILL cause you some problems. I recommend only ever cashing out half of your winnings. They want you to play, and if the think they are going to lose out, then they CAN get nasty.
10) Never threaten to do a chargeback... if you feel you have grounds for a chargeback, contact your bank or Visa/Mastercard and discuss with them.
11) There is a blacklist. I have been put on it once, for telling the casino I was playing at that I want a bonus because they have taken all of my money without any wins. If you DO end up on a blacklist... so? It's not the end of the world. Play somewhere else.
12) Set a daily or weekly limit, and don't modify it. Don't allow them to increase your limit without your permission.
13) If you make a mistake by betting too high or something, don't complain. It never works. If YOU pressed the button, it is YOUR responsibility.
14) The only deposit confirmation documents you should send any casino is a signed authorisation for the transactions you have made (NEVER sign a blanket authorisation) and you should provide a copy of the card and your driver's licence/ If they ask for more, be a little wary.
Now for the good stuff... my hotlist and blacklist:
Sun Palace - avoid. uses RTG. questionable odds. nasty staff (Brian). will argue all the time about rubbish. will argue over every bonus. horrible software. takes ages to download and install games. problem with the way security handles your docs. just avoid.
32Vegas - avoid. they blacklisted me with another casino because i told them they took my money, so they had me listed as a problem gambler. these people will give you stacks of bonuses, but they WILL call you a bonus hunter if you take them. they will do anything to get you to deposit. these are nasty people, who seem really nice and helpful at first. don't fall for it.
Bodog - my experiences were not good. lots of people like them. i don't. no particular reason. i just found them a bit too arrogant for my liking. no respect for the customer
Casino Tropez - i personally love them. good bonuses. friendly staff (except for Sabrina). my vip host is fantastic. really looks after me. i had a $4k cashout after only about 500 in deposits. good games but they need more. if you like playtech, these are the people to play at. only downside is that when you are on a losing streak, it's a long long streak.
Any site driven by microgaming - my experiences with microgaming have been bad, but lots of people prefer this over playtech. so, me personally, i don't like the software and find it very intrusive and hard to get rid of. there was very little in the way of support at the casinos i played at, but maybe that was just those casinos
Kiwi Casino - this is one i thought would be good, but i would avoid it as i have had a few problems here. they are no longer owned by a land based casino, and since then are sliding downhill.
Carnival Casino - they spam me incessantly. i will never play there, as i receive maybe 20 emails per day from them. these guys were good, years ago. rubbish now.
Golden Palace - do they even still exist? Same as Carnival. Used to be good but that was a long time ago now.
Allslots - they are rude and arrogant, for no good reason. i wouldn't play there for all the tea in china.
Well, there are lots of others, but these are the ones i feel most passionate about, one way or another.
Most happy with - Tropez
Most disappointed with - probably 32vegas