You’ve had a few stints at your local in-house casino but have still not dared to venture into the realm of online casinos.  Don’t stress!  We have compiled a handy beginners guide to online casinos that will provide you with all the necessary info so that you can have a successful online gambling experience every time that you play.

1. Hardware, software and connectivity

When it comes to online casinos, it’s all about the convenience.  You no longer have to venture further than your armchair to enjoy some of the best-loved casino games out there.  Before you start, there are some requirements that you will need to meet.  A PC, laptop, tablet or a smartphone is an absolute must since you will be accessing the online casino through one or more of these devices.  Additionally, a stable and relatively fast internet connection is needed for linking to be established between your device and the casino’s server. 

2. Background research

The list of online casinos that are floating around the internet is humongous.  It is essential to choose a reputable and accredited casino, to avoid any malversations.  One of the quickest ways of checking whether a casino is trustworthy or not is through word-of-mouth insights.  Ask your friends and family who are already enjoying online gambling about their first-hand experiences.  Also, make sure that you go through online casino reviews to see what other players have to say about a particular casino.   

3. Safety and Security

When you go to a casino website for the first time, make sure that a security lock appears next to the URL.  This indicates that the site is safe and encrypted.  Also, if you are playing via a browser or an app, make sure that you’re using the latest versions of these.  You should also invest in a good antivirus programme, to protect your data from viruses when you’re transacting via the web.  You can also check the inventory of blacklisted online casinos in Canada, to know which ones to avoid.    

4. Casino Accreditation

Check out online casino reviews and whether a casino is registered with a gambling body, such as the Malta Gaming Authority or the Kahnawake Gaming Commission.  Furthermore, even though online gambling via offshore providers is legal in Canada, acquaint yourself with the local gambling regulations to make sure you are not breaking any laws.

5. Payment and Withdrawal Options

As the majority of online casinos available to Canadian players are located offshore, it is quite essential to choose ones that transact payments in Canadian dollars.  Be wary of casinos that only accept payments in a particular foreign currency, be it the US dollar, the euro or the pound sterling.  These payments usually have a conversion fee of 2%-5% attached to them by your transacting bank, which increases your wagering and decreases your winning amounts.  Also, familiarise yourself with your deposit options and which ones would be most economical for you to use (e.g. credit or debit cards, e-wallet or bank wire transfers).

6. Bonuses and freebies

Besides being genuine, a casino also has to be generous.  Unlike in-house casinos, a reputable online casino will always welcome a first-time player with a generous bonus.  Additionally, good online casinos will offer deposit and no-deposit bonuses.  Also, look out for online casinos that provide juicy jackpots, loyalty programmes and cash prizes.  Some casinos also offer free games where you can practise and see if a particular game suits you before you start playing with real money.  All these enhance your gambling experience and increase your chances of striking it rich.

7. Select the Right Casino Game

Before you start your online gaming journey, you should decide where your gambling forte lies.  Are you the type of a slot player who likes to spin and win?  Or do you prefer more traditional table games like poker, roulette and blackjack, where both skill and luck need to be on your side?  Most online casinos have a wide variety of games on offer.  Go for the ones where you feel most comfortable with, and then work your way to the rest later, once you’ve perfected your skills.

8. Winners Know When to Stop

Yeah, yeah!  We’ve all heard this cliché a gazillion times.  But knowing when to stop can sometimes become blurred when you are neck-deep in a particular game.  Always set a budget for the day and when you do win a jackpot, hang up your towel and go and enjoy your winnings.  If you think that you might have a gambling problem, check out our list of Canadian problem gambling hotlines nearest to you.

Once you’ve ticked off all of the boxes on our beginners guide to online casinos, you should be on a clear course to a fantastic online gambling experience.  Remember, since everything with virtual casinos is done online, you will probably never see who is on the other side.  Taking precautionary steps will guarantee that you have a hassle-free time and avoid any potential potholes along the way.