Reading time: 7 minutes
We have prepared this online casino guide primarily for complete beginners, but it will undoubtedly come in handy for players who already have experience with online gambling. You will learn all the critical things you should know before you start playing for real money. We will advise you on choosing an online casino and what to look out for when registering and making a transaction. You will also find out how casino bonuses work and how to play responsibly at an online casino.
Playing at an online casino is very simple. All you have to do is open an account, deposit money and start playing.
Choosing the right casino may not be that easy, but you cannot make any significant mistakes today. It all depends on your preferences - the choice of games, the bonuses or perhaps the speed of payouts. All of this can vary from casino to casino. Of course, online casinos are not all the same and we recommend you to feel the site a bit and get familiar with the basics before you sign up. We will advise you on what is essential. We have compiled a ranking of the best casinos where you will have no problem.
First and foremost, the key is not to bet on fraudulent sites. You may not be able to claim your winnings from such operators. Dishonest games are more of a chimaera nowadays. Anyway, at licensed casinos, none of this will happen to you.
It is easy to find a trusted operator. You can choose from our list of recommended casinos, where you can find the operator's licenses in the review.
🔒 Learn how online casinos secure cash transactions - How casinos are secure.
The vast majority of casinos do not create their games but buy them from individual software providers. Table games, including live casino games, are universal and differ only in graphics or the number of side bets.
If you play slots, it is worth looking at providers' offer. Some publishers specialize in classic fruit machines. In contrast, others may be innovators and offer unique game features.
🎰 Don't know how or can't play casino games with real money? Visit our database of casino games and slots for free with virtual money.
If you want to play for real money, you have to play in an online casino. So how funds move to and from the casino are important. It is also an area where individual operators can compete.
What to look for:
💳 Check out the most popular payment methods in our article on payment methods in online casinos.
If English is not your native language or cannot communicate in English, look for a casino supporting your first language. Most of the casinos offer many language variants.
There are plenty of sites on the internet that are dedicated to gambling and testing online casinos. You can read several different reviews from different sources and make an overall opinion about the casino. However, take the reviews as recommendations only. Remember that every player has complex requirements and what someone else likes may not appeal to you.
This step is directly related to the previous one. Once you have read the reviews, you can also look at the various discussions. On AnyGamble, we allow players to post user reviews. On the discussion forums, you will find plenty of opinions and comments on individual casinos. Look mainly for negative reviews or problems encountered by other players.
Before you sign up in an online casino, we recommend you check out customer support. If the online casino has a live chat, there is probably nothing to worry about. You should get a response almost immediately, but complications can appear here too. The response will probably take a little longer with email correspondence. However, test the speed and professional approach anyway. There are also a few casinos that offer a toll-free customer line from all over the world. In this case, you can try this option of communicating with the casino as well.
Every licensed casino will require you to create and verify a player account. A standard procedure takes a few minutes of your time. One thing is important here. Always use only truthful information. Remember that the casino may require confirming this information before withdrawing money. If the casino finds out that you have provided the wrong details during registration, it may block your account.
❓ What information will the casino require from you?
- Personal details such as name, surname, date of birth, telephone number, email address and place of residence.
- Casino account details such as password, nickname, security question and answer and payment methods.
It is also necessary to use payment methods registered in your name, such as bank accounts, credit cards or e-wallets. The use of cards or accounts registered to another person is prohibited.
💡 If you are uncomfortable giving out your personal information, you can play completely anonymously at a casino supporting bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies.
The first time you withdraw money from an online casino, you will often need to verify the personal information you provided during registration. The casino will ask you to confirm your age, identity, residence and deposit/withdrawal methods. What documents do you need?
In some cases, a phone call may be required. There were also cases where a player had to take a picture with a piece of paper with the casino's name. These things only occur when the casino suspects foul play.
There is an important rule - register only one active account. It is forbidden to register additional accounts from the same device, the same household (IP address), or with the exact details that have already been used (phone, email, deposit using the same account, etc.)
There are sometimes problems when members of the same household register account from the same IP address. If you want to do that, you need to inform the casino beforehand.
Bonuses are the most significant advantage of online casinos. It is because when you come to a land-based casino, they will not offer you hundreds of €/$ or free spins upon the deposit.
Bonuses for new players
VIP programs and bonuses for existing players
Bonuses work very simply. The online casino will reward you for a specific action. It can be registration or, for example, a deposit. The reward is very often bonus cash or free spins on selected slots. It is possible to earn up to thousands extra on bonuses. Although it sounds tempting, bonuses are not as convenient as they look at first glance. Nothing in the world is free.
To prevent bonus abuse, online casinos apply many conditions and restrictions to promotions:
Once you claim a bonus, you must wager a certain amount. Only then, you can convert the bonus money and winnings into real cash and ask for a withdrawal. The wagering requirements are based on the amount of the bonus.
🔎 See how it works and how the wagering requirements casino bonuses are calculated.
There is a bet size limit per game as long as you have an active bonus balance. It usually ranges from €2 to €5. Warning! For example, the Gamble feature on slots, where the player doubles the winnings, counts towards these bets.
The maximum win restriction is most commonly connected to no deposit bonuses. It is the maximum amount of bonus money, which players can transfer to a real money account.
The number and type of games are also significantly restricted when playing with bonus money. For example, some online casinos only allow play on selected slots.
If you have no experience playing at an online casino, we strongly recommend that you familiarize yourself with the bonus terms and conditions before deciding to claim the bonus.
💡 Read the General Terms and Conditions and Bonus Rules before you decide to play.
There are many risks involved in gambling. Gambling, or gambling addiction, is a serious matter that can ruin your life. Therefore, it is vital to approach gambling as responsibly as possible. Gambling should be fun, not a way to make money, because all casino games are mathematically set up to favour the casino in the long run.
💡 Play smart. Read the article about how gambling works.
Even if the long-term advantage is on the casino's side, it does not mean you cannot win. The important thing is to be aware of the risks involved in playing and avoid them. One of the most important rules is to never gamble with money you cannot afford to lose.
At online casinos, you will find a great thing, so-called "Self-limiting features". These allow you to set how much time you want to spend in the casino, how much money you want to send, or how much you want to wager.
The most common self-regulatory features
You can choose these features when you register at the online casino or at any time afterwards. We advise all players to use them, as they are a great money management tool.