Online casinos are not a new invention. If you’ve spent any amount of time online, you’ve probably come across an online casino offering you the adventure of a lifetime on the games they have on their site.

If you’re curious about online casinos and why they’re so popular, you’re not alone. Casino reviews, in-depth reports of online gambling wins, changes to legislature and everything you could possibly need to know can be found here on TopSpotCasinos.

We know that it can be confusing, first stepping into the world of online casinos and the magic they seem to emanate when you’re looking from the outside. If you’re ready to step in and splash around in the world of online gambling, take a look at our handy guide for getting started before you do!

Online Casinos vs Traditional Casinos

Over the past few years, the gambling industry has gone through a lot of changes. In the past, the only way to get access to casino games was to visit the closest traditional casino in your area. Until the early 90’s when online casinos were launched. From there online casinos quickly gained ground and became more popular.

Both traditional and online casinos have their unique features which make them popular among players. The biggest difference between the two being location, with traditional casinos requiring you to visit an actual location and online casinos being available virtually from anywhere.

Apart from this, there are a number of key differences and reasons why many players are choosing to play casino games online more regularly. It should be said that as online casinos gain popularity and the industry grows rapidly traditional casinos aren’t suffering.

These land-based casinos continue to thrive as tourists and locals visit every now and then for an authentic brick and mortar gaming experience.

Why Online Casinos Are Better

Online casinos have become extremely popular over the last few years as they offer a range of benefits that cannot be found in traditional casinos. One of the biggest benefits of online casinos is that they can be visited from anywhere at any time.

As long as you have a solid internet connection and a desktop, tablet or mobile device you can visit any casino site to enjoy a quick gaming session.

Bonuses & Promotions

Other reasons online casinos are better, includes that they have a great range of bonuses, promotions and loyalty programs available. These include exciting offers such as deposit match bonuses, cashbacks, free spins, no deposit bonuses and free cash on some occasions.

Of course, all these come with terms and conditions including wagering requirements but online casinos still provide you with more bonus rewards than can be found in traditional casinos.

Bigger jackpot amounts

At online casinos, there are a number of progressive jackpot games that grow by the minute with each player bet. These progressives are often run across different casinos which mean the jackpot amount can jump drastically within an hour. The jackpot amounts available at online casinos are ultimately a lot higher than those available at traditional casinos.

Games & Seat Availability

At a traditional casino, chances are you’ll often have to wait for a spot to open at certain tables, slot machines or video pokers. With online casinos, you’ll never have to wait in line as the games will be readily available and can be played with a mere click of a button whether it’s a live casino option or a regular slot, card or table game.

There’s also a lot more variety in game selection at online casinos including a great range of online slots ranging from classic slots to video slots and more. The games each come with different themes, bonus features and added extras to turn up the entertainment factor.

Playing online casino games has become something completely different and the variety available put land-based casino games to shame.

Gamification

Online casinos have added a new element to gambling which turns your entire casino experience into a game. Through gamification, you’ll get to complete certain missions and tasks at selected casinos to unlock bigger and better rewards. This gamification has created a more entertaining approach for younger casino players to enjoy.

Stress-free environment

Playing at an online casino gives you the ability to play at any time. You don’t have to worry about crowded spaces, bad weather or being ill. You can enjoy your favourite casino games from the comfort of your home without needing to step outside or facing the crowds. It is also a great way for introverts to experience the thrill of gaming without having to interact with people at a traditional casino.

Are Online Casinos Safe?

The rise of popularity in the online casino industry has resulted in the local Gaming Authorities and law enforcement taking a more serious look at the laws and regulation thereof. In recent years, many countries have updated their laws and regulations to accommodate online casino gambling or completely ban it. Gaming Authorities have also implemented stricter rules and regulations for online casinos to follow.

Online casinos with the proper licensing that adhere to these rules and regulations are also incredibly dedicated to player safety. They incorporate additional safety measures such as SSL data encryption technology, the latest firewall technologies and additional security software. If you’re playing at a trusted and secure online casino it is actually a lot safer than a traditional casino.

Online Casinos to Avoid

As the industry has become more popular there has been a rise in the number of chancers. People have created scam sites or tried to use online casinos to benefit themselves instead of the players. The good news is that dedicated sites, such as Top Spot Casinos, are here to steer you away from such untrustworthy sites.

When starting your online casino journey it is always best to do some research and not just sign up at the first online casino you find. There are a few key things you can look for to determine if a site should be avoided.

Always avoid an online casino if:

• It is not licensed by any gaming authority
• It is not a secure and encrypted site
• The bonus offers seem too good to be true
• You see a lot of complaints about payment issues
• They offer poor customer support
• Their gaming software looks suspicious or fraudulent

It can be incredibly difficult to spot a scam or rogue online casino especially if you’re new to the industry. If you’re unsure of where to find a great online casino with the best in bonuses, customer support and game variety look no further than the Top Spot Casinos list of Top 10 Casinos. These have all been vetted and reviewed and are deemed safe and secure for players.

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Joining an Online Casino

The number one thing to consider before signing up at an online casino is that you’ll soon be spending your hard-earned money on the casino games you enjoy. Whenever spending money, it’s good to ask a few questions, to ensure that you know what you’re getting yourself into for the first time.

No, these questions aren’t meant to scare you away. Rather, they’re meant to make sure that you aren’t ever caught off guard. Because who wants that when you’re having fun?

Question 1 – Is online gambling legal in the country you reside in?

This can be a tricky question to answer! Legislature and laws can change on a whim and where once something was legal (or at least a grey area), it can quickly become very clear what is and is not allowed. Always ensure that you know if it’s legal to play at an online casino from your country. If it isn’t, and depending on the laws in place, you could be in serious trouble. And remember, just because it’s legal to play at a land-based casino, does not mean it’s legal to play at an online casino. The laws can differ.

Question 2 – Have you set a budget?

Playing with a budget, whether you’re taking a seat at a virtual table or spinning the reels of an online slot, is key to really being a winner. And to enjoying the fun of playing at an online casino without being stressed once you log out of your account. Set a budget that you’re willing to lose and then play your favourite casino games. Once you’ve decided that you’re okay with losing that spare cash, it doesn’t matter if you’re winning or losing in the end.

Question 3 – Do you have a history of addiction?

This can be a heavy question to face, but if you’ve ever had a history of becoming addicted to other forms of gambling, online casinos may not be for you. That might not be what you want to hear, but if it means you stay happy and healthy, it’s always best to make the best decision for you!

Question 4 – Do you know what it means to be a responsible gambler?

It may sound like a formal question with scary answers, but really, it’s simple. If you’ve never considered what responsible gambling truly is, take a look at the next section in this guide.

The Importance of Responsible Gambling

“Responsible gambling” is a term that you’ll see mentioned often on TopSpotCasino and that’s because we’re passionate about the importance of gambling being fun – and not a burden.

We know that gambling has a bad rap. There are those who struggle with gambling addiction, people spending more money than they should ever spend on casino games, and a number of other scars on the world of casinos.

But we also know that there are thousands of people around the world who enjoy casino games for what they are – entertainment!

Playing responsibly is all about making good decisions. Whether that means setting a budget to suit your wallet or knowing when to step away after a few bad losses, responsible gambling starts with you.

Thanks to helpful organisations such as GamCare and BeGambleAware, many online casinos have put responsible gambling tools in place. These include features such as timeout periods, self-exclusion options, loss limits and much more.

The most important step to remember is that this: If you feel that you have any issue in any way, contact a professional that can help. Because there’s no shame in asking for a hand when you need it the most.

How to Find Top-Rated Online Casinos

If you feel confident in budget-setting abilities and you understand why being a responsible gambler is top priority, it’s time to find the best online casino to suit you and your needs!

Now you may be wondering: Where on earth would I even start?! And that’s understandable. There are hundreds of online casinos ready to rock your world right now. But which one is the best for you?

Here are our top 7 tips for finding the best of the best in online casinos.

#1 – Read casino reviews – The reason we write casino reviews is simple: we want to make sure that you have all of the information you need in order to play like a winner! You can count on us to provide handy online casino reviews that will be honest and filled with information about our experiences, no matter what. When searching for an online casino, reading reviews is a great way to get a feel for the experience you may have without having to actually sign up for an account.

#2 – Only play at safe and regulated online casinos – It’s important that you play at an online casino that has been licensed and regulated by the correct authorities. Trusted regulators include eCogra, Malta LGA, the UKGC, Alderney Gambling Control, and the Government of Gibraltar. If there’s no visible license on the site, rather click away to be safe.

#3 – Read the terms and conditions – If you’re looking to play casino games using real cash, it’s important to always read the terms and conditions before doing so! Whether you’re creating a brand-new account, making your first deposit, or enjoying a special offer, the terms and conditions are your key to never being left in the dark.

#4 – Browse the casino game library – The online casino games available can make a huge difference to how you play. If you prefer online slots or games by a particular provider, make sure that the online casino you’re considering can see to your gaming needs before creating your account. It would be a real pity to go through the effort of signing up, only to be let down by the lack of games you love to play.

#5 – Keep an eye on the bonuses – Once you’ve signed up, you may want to take advantage of the bonuses and promotions on offer. However, some online casinos don’t offer much in the way of bonuses, which could leave you out in the cold.

#6 – Banking options are important – Another important factor to consider are the banking options that may be available to you. Many players have a preference when it comes to how they deposit and withdraw cash from their casino account.

#7 – Chat to customer support – While we all hope that gameplay and account changes will always run smoothly, the fact remains that there are times you may need a little help. Having customer support that is available when you need it most and can communicate with you in your preferred language is very important. Be sure to chat to customer support before signing up for an account to test just how helpful they really are.

Downloading Software – Things to Consider

Certain online casinos may require you to download software in order to receive the full experience that they have to offer. Mostly, these are older online casinos as most modern sites have moved over to being completely accessible via your browser alone.

If you are required to download casino software, or even game software, always consider the following:

• Do you have the extra storage space on your computer?
• How much space will the software require in order to run?
• Is your computer’s operating system supported? (i.e. Apple)
• Will you easily be able to uninstall the software if you choose to do so?
• Are there any other programs you may need to run the software – Such as Flash?
• Will you also require software if you wish to play on your mobile device?

All of these questions should be answered by an FAQ section or by customer support.

Understanding Casino Bonuses and Promotions

As we mentioned before, playing at an online casino could come with the opportunity to indulge in bonuses or promotions from time to time.

It’s always of the utmost importance to read the full terms and conditions that are attached to any promotion that you’re considering cash in on. Whether that bonus or promo consists of making a deposit and receive a bonus, grabbing free spins on a fun online slot, or receiving entry into an exclusive tournament by completing certain requirements, every offer will have terms and conditions to read through.

Many bonuses and promotions, especially deposit and free spins offers, could need you to complete wagering requirements before cashing out your winnings.

This means you will have to play through your winnings a certain number of times in order to enjoy your winnings. However, if you spot a promo that states that it has no wagering requirements, all of your winnings are yours to enjoy.

If you’re ever unsure about how a bonus works. Be sure to contact customer support and have them explain everything you need to know before proceeding.

Playing on the Move – What You Need to Know About Mobile Casinos

One last thing to consider before finally joining in on the fun at an online casino is whether or not you’d like to play from your mobile device. That could mean spinning the reels of your favourite slot from your tablet or enjoying live dealer casino games from your mobile.

No matter how or where you enjoy playing casino games, it’s important to know if your casino of choice can provide you with this luxury.

The large majority of online casinos now provide mobile gameplay. You can also play almost any casino game from your mobile device too, thanks to the rise of the mobile gambling industry.

It’s an exciting time for players who choose to take winning with them and that could be you! Playing from the comfort of your couch, while travelling to work on the train, or while catching a taxi means huge wins could happen in the middle of nowhere!

As long as the mobile device you’re using has a steady internet connection, gameplay should be smooth and easy. Once again, confirm with customer support that mobile casino games are available for you in your country and for your device of choice.

Creating an Online Casino Account

The time has come! You’ve done the research and you’re ready to create your account at the online casino that ticks all of your boxes.

It’s simple. Click the register or sign up button, fill in your required details and get ready to play!

It shouldn’t take more than a few minutes to complete the registration form, but keep in mind that there many be additional documents and info required by the casino before you can make deposits or withdrawals.

Referred to as the KYC (or Know Your Customer) documents, you could be required to send through a copy of your ID, proof of residence, and bank statement in order for the casino you’ve chosen to process any payments.

Once you’ve confirmed these documents, you shouldn’t have to do so again, which means you can simply kick back and play your way to fun and big wins!

Making the First Deposit and Setting a Budget

Now that you’ve created your account, get ready to make your first deposit using the banking method of your choice, and set a budget to set your mind at ease.

Once you’ve made your deposit, enjoy bonuses, play the games you love and experience everything that online casinos have to offer. Explore new casino games, discover which providers are best for you, and find exciting ways to spin and win.