Tips and tricks for getting started at an online casino today

In the last decade, online casinos have been steadily growing in popularity. Since 2020, that growth has exploded, and online casinos have become a fully mainstream type of iGaming. They’ve evolved from simple online poker rooms with basic graphics to sites that host top-quality games from dedicated game development studios.

From well-established brands branching out into the digital world, like the SkyCity online casino, to up and coming indie online casinos, there are now hundreds of online casinos to choose from. For people who are considering trying online casinos for the first time, all this choice can feel a bit overwhelming. It can also be hard to ask friends or family for advice since it can feel like they’re a bit behind the times.

It’s never too late to try something new, including playing at online casinos! Below are some of our top tips and tricks for getting started at an online casino today.

Check the licenses

In order to operate legally, online casinos in the UK need to be fully licensed. The licenses in the UK are issued by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). This body oversees all gambling in the country and sets the standards that online casinos need to meet. The UKGC is one of the most respected licensing bodies in the world.

You should only play at online casinos that are fully licensed because it gives you an additional layer of protection if something goes wrong. All licensing information should be displayed on the site and is typically found in the site’s footer.

Compare bonuses

Online casinos like to attract new players with welcome bonuses. These bonuses make it easier to start playing because they give players a boost at the beginning. The most common types of welcome bonuses include free spins, deposit matching, free credit and risk-free betting. You should look for the features you will use.

It’s also important to consider the terms and conditions before getting too excited about a bonus. Almost all bonuses will have wagering requirements. Wagering requirements indicate the amount that a player needs to bet before they can claim any winnings from the bonus. This is often 30-40x times the bonus amount but can be as high as 60x. There is also typically a time limit as well. A wagering requirement that’s too high can make a bonus worthless since it means you won’t be able to claim anything from it.

Set a budget

Setting a budget is essential for creating a healthy relationship when it comes to playing at online casinos. Even more important than setting the budget is sticking to it. As much as we always want to win, it’s a good idea to never budget more than you can comfortably afford to lose. This way, losses are acceptable, and wins are a perk.

One way to make it easier to stick to a budget is to use a payment method or account that you don’t use for anything else. This enables you to deposit only the amount you’ve budgeted for and helps ensure you won’t be tempted to withdraw money that isn’t part of your bankroll. Digital payment apps make this easier than ever.

Learn the rules

The classic casino games are all fairly simple, especially slots. This doesn’t mean that new players should just dive in and pick games at random though. It’s important to know the rules and the betting structures before you start playing. This lets you play a bit more confidently and reduces the likelihood that you will make costly mistakes.

Try a variety of games

You might start playing at an online casino with preconceived notions about what games you’ll enjoy and which ones you won’t. While this may end up being true, you never know until you try! Playing a variety of games can give you a better idea of what games you enjoy, which game developers you prefer and whether you prefer the regular or live versions of table games.

Consider the reality of progressive jackpot games

Progressive jackpot games are one of the top trends in online casino gaming today and it’s clear why — they can have some of the highest jackpots in the industry. Progressive jackpot slots are slots where the jackpot grows as more people play. Players can see how they and their fellow players are boosting the jackpot, so it feels more like a community event and when it’s won it’s a bigger celebration.

However, the unfortunate reality is that only one player can win and the bigger the jackpot, the more people are playing. This means that your odds of winning are even lower than with the average slot machine game.