Top 5 FAQs

One glance at virtually any online casino site and you should have no difficulty locating their Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section. If you do encounter any problems finding it, don't even waste another second of your time at that site; there are hundreds of better venues out there far more deserving of your business.

Naturally, the world of gaming, regardless of whether it's conducted at online casinos or their traditional land-based predecessors, entails a whole lot of questions. But to get you started, we've compiled a list of the top 5 questions asked most frequently by gambling enthusiasts just like you. For a more comprehensive list of questions, help yourself to our Gambling FAQs.

 

1. How do I choose an online casino?
With literally hundreds of online casinos to choose from, and more sprouting up every single day, it's no wonder how difficult it is to select not just any site, but the best one. With respect to safety and trustworthiness, generally speaking, the bigger the gaming operator or group, the safer. Today a number of the leading venues are traded on public stock exchanges, which should contribute to a company's adherence to fair and honest play. Other criteria to consider include a site's initial and subsequent bonuses, gaming software, games selection, payout rates, playing speed, navigating ease, graphics, customer support, and so on. Independent online casino reviews compiled by various gaming portals such as this one outline all you need to know on how to select the online casino that's best for you.

2. How do I begin playing?
First off, most online casinos offer players the option of playing for free or real money. The free option is a great way to test out a site's software prior to wagering any money. Once you've done that, you're onto playing for real money, and real excitement! To do this you're required to set up a casino account and deposit some money, a simple and painless procedure. Depending on the site, you can expect a free matching cash bonus - usually a percentage of your initial deposit and up to a maximum amount (unfortunately). Upon completing the sign-up process you're issued an account number and password so that you can access your account to deposit or withdraw funds whenever you wish. Now you're all ready to begin playing. Just pick your favorite game - or games - and let the good times roll.

3. What kind of games do casino sites offer?
Not only do online casinos provide the exact same games as land-based casinos, you can also expect a vastly wider array of these games along with infinite variations. Naturally, this is due to the ease inherent in software development. Today's virtual gambling world, as it is also commonly referred to, offers the entire gaming gamut including: slots, blackjack, roulette (European & American), craps, video poker, pai gow poker, keno, baccarat, sic bo, backgammon, bingo, you name it.

4. Is gambling over the Internet safe?
Indeed it is! But, of course, as in any industry, there are always a few bad apples and the gambling biz, both online and in its traditional land-based form, includes its share of rogue operators. However, most companies hope to stay in business and in order to do so, will go to great lengths to win your trust. Although the online gaming industry is quite new, a number of online casinos have been in business for five and ten years. Additionally, a number of the higher profile software developers and the websites licensing the gaming platforms are traded on various stock exchanges in London and New York. These major players in particular have a vested interest in "fair-gaming" practices, given that they must answer to their shareholders.

5. Is gambling online legal?
In most situations, gambling online is perfectly legal. It depends, of course, where you are gambling from. For instance, the US government passed a law in October 2006 prohibiting banks and credit card companies from facilitating payments between online betting companies and US-based bettors. Ever since the implementation of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), a number of countries like the UK, Spain and Ireland have moved to legalize Internet gaming. With time, it is expected than more countries will come to permit wagering online beyond state monopolies such as lotteries and horse racing. Your best bet is to check the local laws in your jurisdiction governing the practice of gambling online BEFORE signing up with any online casinos.