- Do the Research. While the environment is much safer than it was just a few years ago, there are still a number of rogues running around who just want to take your money…so check around at the reviews and forums to see what people have experienced at the online casino that you may be considering. Just remember, many so-called reviewers are actually on the payroll, and many of the harshest critics caused their own problems by refusing to do any research and actually read the T&Cs (Terms and Conditions) before signing up. And that leads right to:
- Read the Fine Print. Most online casinos aren’t trying to scam you, or at least no more than any other legitimate business. There are some that have ridiculous and unreasonable terms, but you may not know if you don’t read them. Most are more or less reasonable, but you still won’t know what to do and what not to do unless you read them. So read them. And if you don’t understand what you’re reading, don’t assume that it doesn’t matter and sign up anyway!
- Playthroughs. This is such a common point of contention that it deserves a section of its own, even though it falls under “read the fine print’ above. When you get a bonus, unless you’re very lucky, you’ll get a playthrough requirement along with it. This specifies how much you have to wager before you can cash out that bonus, and which games count toward that requirement (online slots are almost always safe, but many other games count much less and some don’t count at all). Either don’t take the bonus, or know exactly how much you need to play before cashing out.
- Customer Support. Do you need 24/7 live attention, or would you be fine with an email system? Can you figure out most of your problems on your own, or do you need a Dummies Guide to turn your computer on and off? You may even want to take the support options out for a ‘test drive’ before you sign up to a casino; if you’re going to have problems with the support, you’re going to have problem with the casino.
- What Country Do You Think This Is? Do not, repeat DO NOT sign up to an online casino if you live in a place restricted by that online casino. This applies to several locations which may not gamble online AT ALL, EVER (Turkey comes to mind, but I could be oversimplifying Turkish law) and to some locations that may play online at some places but not others (the US comes to mind, because I know US online gambling law rather well). Basically, if you’re from the US, just check to make sure that you’re at an online casino US players may gamble at. Simple, isn’t it?