5 Things To Look For When Joining a New Online Casino

By Alex Smith, Last updated Nov 6, 2022

If you’re looking for a new online casino to join, then you’ll likely want to make sure that the site is safe, regulated, and fair. However, did you know there are a number of other considerations you should take into account?
In this post, we’re going to be taking a look at 5 of the most important things to look for when joining a new online casino. It covers everything from the games and software offered, to the actual licensing – so make sure you give it a read in full. Also – if you’re looking for a new casino to join, you should check out our Accredited Casinos list here at Casinomeister.

#1: Check It’s Allowed To Operate

Unfortunately, over the past few years we’ve seen a number of unlicensed casinos spring up online. These sites will be more than happy to welcome you as a new player (and take your deposits) – but should you ever be lucky enough to make a withdrawal, your chances of receiving your winnings are slim at best.
(There’s also no telling on whether the games offered at unlicensed, unregulated sites will be fair.)
To avoid this, you should only ever play at an online casino that holds a valid gambling license. Ideally, you should try to play at a site that holds a license from a well-known regulator. Think the UK’s Gambling Commission, the Maltese Gaming Authority, or the Alderney Gambling Control Commission. Any website that holds a valid gambling license has to tell you this – and you can usually find the information in the website’s footer area. If a casino isn’t licenses – stay away.
If you’d like to learn more about the licensing jurisdictions and how they operate, you can read all about the various licensing bodies here.

#2: The Game Range

There are few things more important at online casinos than the games themselves – they’re the reason you’re playing, after all! Thankfully, the competitive nature of the online gambling world has lead most operators to offer players as many games as possible – but there are still some sites that only offer games from one or two providers.

There’s no real set in stone rule as to which casino you should join, game-wise. At the end of the day, it’s a personal preference – just make sure the site you’re looking at has an ample game selection for your needs! Some of the most game-heavy casinos that are accredited here at Casinomeister include Videoslots, Slotsmillion and Casumo.

Another thing to remember when looking at the games offered by an online casino, is that there are some providers who are notoriously hard to find. For example, while every man and his dog now offers Big Time Gaming’s portfolio, finding Novomatic games can be a lot more challenging. This is all down to the cost of hosting the games – and some operators simply cannot afford to offer some less-well-known games at their site.

Still, it’s worth looking around before you join, as the last thing you want to do is sign up at a casino and make a deposit… only to find the selection of games is less than desirable.

#3: Banking Methods

One of the things we often see players complaining about, is the lack of payment methods available at their chosen online casino. Now, while it may appear annoying at first, it’s worth remembering that most casinos don’t offer limited methods out of choice. Country-specific regulations mean that casinos accepting players from certain jurisdictions simply can’t offer some payment methods. The US, for example, is generally unable to process any deposits or withdrawals using debit and credit cards.
Thankfully, almost all online casinos allow you to view the available payment methods before you sign up. This is usually found either in a “Banking” information page, or, sometimes, in the casino’s general FAQ section.

#4: Bonuses and Promos

Due to the increasing costs associated with running online casinos, unfortunately, the bonuses and promotions we’ve seen offered by various sites have, over the past few years, decreased in value. This hasn’t gone unnoticed by players – but thankfully, it is possible to find lucrative and generous bonus offers.
One of the things to think about when looking for a new online casino to join, is what type of bonus you’ll actually want. For instant – if you’re planning on playing a selection of video slots, then you may want to consider a casino that offers regular free-spins. If you’re planning on playing live dealer games instead, you will probably want to find casinos that offer matched deposit bonuses – for live games.
It all depends on what you, the player wants – and a little bit of searching around can make a big difference in the type of bonus promotions you’ll be able to claim.

#5: Customer Support

This may sound like a “common sense thing to look out for” – but you’d be amazed how many online casinos don’t have a good quality customer support facility. While things rarely go wrong playing at online casinos, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Generally speaking, you’ll want to try and play at a site that offers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week support. This will enable you to reach out and receive help with any problems you’re having regardless of what time of day it is.
Another thing to look for is the actual way in which customer support is offered. Live chat is usually the prefered method of contact as it connects you with an operator in just a few seconds. Next best is phone support, followed by email. All reputable casinos will showcase their customer support methods before signing up, so you know what routes are available to you.

It’s Worth Taking The Time To Research Casinos

When you’re in the mood to gamble, it can be oh-to-easy to just choose the first place that catches you eye. However, for the reasons we’ve mentioned above, it really is worthwhile to take your time and research things properly.
Here at Casinomeister, our Accredited Casinos are a great first step if you’re looking for somewhere new to play. They’ve all gone through extensive testing phases, and their casino reps are responsive with our community – meaning in the unlikely event of anything going wrong, you can quickly and easily get help and support. You can view our Accredited Casino list Here

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